Bolshevism, from Class Ideology to Imperialist Ideology. The Ukrainian Case

Abstract

The article examines how Bolshevism transitioned from a class ideology to an imperialist ideology with particular emphasis on the Ukrainian context. The authors analysed the essence of the Russian autocratic state as a despotic empire. Since one of Russian imperialism's primary objectives was to maintain control over Ukraine, the Bolshevik regime maintained its neo-imperial expansionist policies. Particular attention was paid to the formation of the Ukrainian national-political identity in the context of Russian (Soviet) imperialism. In terms of totalitarianism, the Bolshevik regime far exceeded the imperial autocratic regime and strove to obliterate as much of Ukrainian national identity as possible.

Keywords

• bolshevism
• class ideology
• imperialist ideology
• ukraine
• expansionism
• bolshevik regime
• national identity
• despotism
• neo-imperialism