Abstract
The paper is focused on Belarusians' self-identification in the context of civilizational borderland that appears to have a considerable impact on the nation's complex self-identification process and remains utterly relevant in contemporary Belarus under its strongman A. Lukashenko.
Significantly, the current head of state and, most importantly, his political course can be regarded as the key "identifier" of the Belarusian nation in the geopolitical and civilizational dimension. For the purposes of this practice-centred analysis (foreign policy discourse/practice, independent opinion polls etc.), S.
Huntington’s civilizational approach—coupled with the concept of borderland as an analytical tool—will be applied, though with certain reservations regarding the regional specificity. Lukashenko’s pendulum-like foreign policy highlights the national identity reference points and defines its either pro-Russian or pro-Western leaning.
In the context of regime’s relentless maneuvering between Moscow and Brussels, Belarusians' pro-Russia and pro-West orientations reached parity at the end of 2010. It means that the country’s identification trajectory is amenable to modifications in accordance with the ruling elite’s foreign policy imperatives and the current political conjuncture.
Despite the fact that the elements of European identity are present in the Belarusian identity code, notably as the symbol of better living standards, its role is far from relevant. Instead, strong bonds with the Eastern Orthodox civilization—overtly nurtured within the Pan-Slavic “Russian World” paradigm—will probably prevail as the dominant vector for the nation’s identification in the long run.