alien to the so- called âruling elitesâ and state officials; hence, the state is still regarded as âa shop in abeyanceâ the goods in which have to be taken away to the ...
Eurasian integration and European integration: Lack of Similarities Contrary to the view of many experts and politicians in Russia and Kazakhstan, it seems implausible to build direct parallels between European and Eurasian integration processes, since the ideational underpinnings of these processes and the nature of the political systems of the member-states under current conditions are greatly different. It has become a common-place to observe in some post-Soviet countries how easily the parallels between the European integration and Eurasian integration (which at present mere Eurasian Economic Union) are drawn. It my view, it seems implausible and logically incorrect to build direct parallels between these two different integration processes. The European Union (EU), born as a natural outgrowth of the European integration process which started after World War Two and raised in the atmosphere of the Cold War and finally became the embodiment of the development of liberal values, standards of the protection of human rights. In other words, one of the ideational foundations of the European integration was to direct and institutionalize the “humanization” and liberalization of the politics of European nations to save the European civilization which came to brink of “selfannihilation” because of the “balance-of-power” politics, overt colonization and imperialism. The EU has achieved a real success in humanization of politics, catalyzing the process of the development of the protection of human rights and institutionalization of the primacy of the rule of law in its member states. The high standards of the protection of human rights embedded in the Treaty on the EU and reinforced by the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (including the third generation of human rights). Although the European integration process has been entrapped by the neoliberal capitalism since 1980s and now struggling to overcome this handicap, nevertheless aforesaid is one of the main reasons why the EU has become the point of attraction for the people living in east and south of Western Europe. However, under current conditions, the motives (at least primary) behind the Eurasian integration are quiet different from the aim of “humanization” of politics and development of the protection of human rights. It must be admitted that all Eurasian states are still post-totalitarian, wherein liberal values and liberalism, in general, are largely misunderstood and misperceived. This truth is nowhere more evident than in Russia, as it is the biggest country in the “enterprise”. In comparison with the classic depiction “postSoviet” the concept “post-totalitarian” seems to highlight more eloquently the core deficiencies of today’s Russian state and society, which can be listed as below: -the “human/ individual” could not yet become the top priority of the state; -notions the “rule of law”, “serving the state and nation” are to some extent alien to the so- called “ruling elites” and state officials; hence, the state is still regarded as “a shop in abeyance” the goods in which have to be taken away to the
maximum level as can be possible, consequently corruption seems to be “internalized”; - low accountability of elites and lack of stable institutions are still pressing realities; -underdeveloped “rule of law” and as a result “legal relativism” are still widespread and regarded as something normal; -education and academia have not yet undergone the process of “humanization”, naturally there are still groups of political and intellectual elites bearing imperial ambitions; similarly orientalism and othering (whether of people of Asian outlook or not, even white Americans can be easily “orientalized”) have become the norms in the media, politics and everyday life; -racism and chauvinism are rampant – what’s worst of all – the intellectuals and academia are, at best, the silent observers; It seems very difficult to establish any semblance to the European Union possessing these “qualities”. It is illogical to talk of any genuine equality between the partners within Eurasian integration if there are systemic problems concerning the rule of law and the individual is not at the center of political system. However, in the framework of the European Union all member states enjoy equality under European law; the law is the guardian of the weak; official languages of the EU members enjoy the same status and can be used freely in all official communications of the EU organs. Consequently, a small state like Luxembourg does not need fear a big state like Germany or France. The core EU-members have stable institutions and (to some extent except United Kingdom) social-welfare systems protecting all strata of population. However, in Eurasian integration project these characteristics peculiar to the EU remain either absent or nascent. This paper, in no way, aims to negate the ongoing integration efforts among Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus; it, rather, seeks to show the conditions under which, already well into the second decade of 21st century, genuine integration can be possible. Only the countries abiding by the rule of law with internalized (properly understood) liberal values and which have the courage to face “their not infrequently bloody history” and “humanize” their perceptions of this history can embark on an integration process that may prove fruitful to all parties. Naturally that, under current conditions, particularly, when the resacralization of Soviet history, revitalization of Cold War “mental patterns” and methodology is underway, the Eurasian integration can be pursued only as a kind of “development project” being strictly confined to economy. Yet, this is itself disputable, since all member-counties lack developed technology, world-quality research centers and financial resources, have problematic demography and crippled education system. Nevertheless, we are hopeful, that at least in medium-term in Russia a new generation of academicians, intellectuals and politicians can start real “humanization” of Russian politics, the state and society. These all inevitably bring about the integration projects which would be beneficial whether economically or politically or civilizationally to all parties.
Dr Galym Zhussipbek, Independent Scholar based in Almaty
