Identifying the Russian Cultural Constitution

Vera N. Gouchtchina

Sturat A. Umpleby

Department of Cultural Studies

Center for Social and Organizational Learning

Voronezh State University

The George Washington University

Voronezh 394693, Russia

Washington, DC 20052

E-mail: root@vng.vsu.ru

E-mail: umpleby@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu

Abstract

Just as a country's constitution is its most fundamental law, each country also has a fundamental set of beliefs and values. This set of beliefs, values, and traditions can be called the country's "cultural constitution." We identify some basic features of the cultural constitution of Russia and contrast these with beliefs and values in Europe, the U.S., and Asia. Knowledge of a country's cultural constitution is particularly important during periods of rapid social change and when attempting to implement reforms.

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