Romanian Eurasianism? Mapping the political ideology of Călin Georgescu

This article investigates the meteoric and unexpected political rise of Călin Georgescu in Romanian domestic politics during the last two years by concentrating on his political philosophy, which is closely linked to the neo-Eurasianism developed by the Russian far-right intellectual Alexandr Dugin. Exploring philosophical, political, economic, and religious arguments, after a preliminary analysis of Eurasianism as historical, cultural, and ideological phenomenon, the article brings forward the concept of Romanian Eurasianism as it is embedded in Georgescu’s political philosophy. The recent and sudden growth of this branch of Eurasianism can be considered odd, up to a certain point, since it does not rely on an important popular support for Russia in Romanian public opinion. Therefore, its main causes can be found within the tremendous social and economic rifts affecting contemporary Romania: Romanian Eurasianism is not the product of mischievous external influences as it is, first and foremost, a consequence of the improper domestic policies that have built up unprecedented levels of discontent within Romanian society, especially among its most disadvantaged members.