The given research is devoted to methodological aspects of studying the history of the Russian nationalism origin. Today there are many different theories describing nations and nationalism; however, not all of them are equally well in describing the specifics of the Russian nation, which is something that is not generalized but unites two different communities. Accordingly, forms of nationalism in these communities differ as well. Most researchers agree that it is possible to distinguish civilian nations and ethnonations. Specifically, the American and French nations are traditionally perceived as the reference civil nations while the Germans are deemed as ethnonation. The American and French nations are based on the state while the German base on culture commonality and common origin. At the same time both of them are designed elites (political, financial or symbolic) based on certain myths. The difference lies in exactly which myths and symbols are given a greater value. These statements are true for the Russian nation as well. As the study shows, two different Russian nationalisms began to take shape in the 21st century independently of each other. One of them being the state or imperial tried to unite all loyal subjects of the empire under the name of Russians. The other type of nationalism included only ethnic Russians. Both types of Russian nationalism seem reasonable to be explored in three forms being a cultural, political and everyday manifestation. All these three components were present in both types of nationalism although the degrees were different.
The European Proceedings of Social & Behavioural Sciences, Vol. LXXVI, 2019. P. 515-521.