FUNDAMENTALS of State Policy to Preserve and Strengthen Traditional Russian Spiritual and Moral Values

Traditional values are the moral precepts shaping Russian citizens’ worldview,

handed down from one generation to another and forming the foundation of Russia’s

national civic identity and the country’s single cultural space, as well as reinforcing

civic unity, and they are reflected in the unique and authentic spiritual, historical and

cultural development path of Russia’s multi-ethnic people.

Traditional values include life, dignity, human rights and freedoms, patriotism,

civic consciousness, service to the Fatherland and responsibility for its destiny, high

moral ideals, strong families, productive labour, the primacy of the spiritual over

corporeal, humanism, charity, justice, collectivism, mutual assistance and mutual

respect, historical memory and the continuity of generations, as well as the unity of

Russia’s peoples.

Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, and other religions which are an

integral part of Russia’s historical and spiritual heritage have had a considerable

influence on the emergence of the traditional values shared by believers and nonbelievers alike. The Orthodox faith has played a special role in the emergence and

strengthening of traditional values.

The Russian Federation views traditional values as the foundation of Russian

society, enabling it to defend and strengthen its sovereignty, ensure the unity of our

country with its diverse ethnic and religious structure, preserve the people of Russia

and enable them to develop their human potential.

10. State policy to preserve and strengthen traditional values is implemented in

the spheres of education, work with young people, culture, research, inter-ethnic and

inter-faith relations, mass media and communications, and international cooperation.

Federal executive agencies in charge of defence, national security, internal affairs,

public order and other government agencies are responsible for carrying out this state

policy within their respective areas of purview.

The efforts made in the Russian Federation to develop the spiritual potential of

the people are increasing the cohesion of Russian society and public awareness of

the importance of preserving and strengthening traditional values amid the global

civilisational and values crisis, which is leading to the loss of traditional spiritual and

moral bearings and moral principles.

The National Security Strategy of the Russian Federation assesses that the

situation in Russia and the world requires emergency measures to defend traditional

values.

Threats to traditional values come from extremist and terrorist organisations,

some news media and communication platforms, the actions of the United States and

other unfriendly foreign states, several transnational corporations and foreign NGOs,

as well as the activities of some organisations and individuals in the territory of

Russia.

Ideological and psychological influences on citizens are leading to the

dissemination of a system of ideas and values that are alien to the Russian people

and destructive for Russian society (hereinafter referred to as “destructive

ideology”), such as the fostering of egoism, permissiveness and immorality,

rejection of the ideals of patriotism, service to the Fatherland, the natural progression

of life, the values of a strong family, marriage, raising multiple children, productive

labour, and Russia’s positive contribution to global history and culture, as well as

the erosion of the traditional family through the promotion of non-traditional sexual

identities.

Destructive ideological influences on Russian citizens are threatening the

demographic health of the country.

The dissemination of destructive ideology entails the following risks:

- emergence of conditions for the self-destruction of society and the erosion of

family, friendship and other social ties;

- accelerated socio-cultural stratification, decline of the role of social

partnership, and devaluation of the ideas of productive labour and mutual assistance;

- damage to the moral health of the people, imposition of concepts that

disregard human dignity and the value of human life;

- promotion of antisocial behaviour, dissolute lifestyles, permissiveness and

violence, growing alcoholism and drug addiction;

- emergence of a society that rejects spiritual and moral values;

- distortion of historical truth and erosion of historical memory;

- rejection of Russian authenticity, weakening of the national civic identity and

cohesion of the multi-ethnic Russian people, development of conditions for

interethnic and interfaith conflicts;

- erosion of confidence in government institutions, discreditation of the idea of

service to the Fatherland, and development of a negative attitude to military service

and government service in general.

State policy to preserve and strengthen traditional values shall have the

following goals:

- to preserve and strengthen traditional values and ensure that they are passed

on from generation to generation;

- to counter the spread of destructive ideology;

- to position the Russian state on the international stage as a custodian and

defender of traditional universal spiritual and moral values.

Implementing the strategic national priority titled Defending Traditional

Russian Spiritual and Moral Values, Culture and Historical Memory entails

delivering on the following objectives set forth in state policy to preserve and

strengthen traditional values:

- to strengthen civic unity, national civic identity and Russian singularity, interethnic and inter-faith harmony based on the unifying role played by traditional

values;

- to preserve historical memory, counter attempts to falsify history, safeguard

the historical experience that gave rise to traditional values and the way they impact

the course of Russian history, including the lives and work of Russia’s outstanding

figures;

- to preserve, reinforce and promote traditional family values, including

marriage as a union between a man and a woman, to ensure generational continuity,

care for the elderly so that they can live in dignity, and to promote the importance of

perpetuating the people of Russia as a top national strategic priority;

- to support organisations of traditional religions, and enable them to contribute

to activities designed to preserve traditional values, and to counter destructive

religious movements;

- to safeguard and support the Russian language as the language of a stateforming nation, to ensure that the norms of today’s Russian literary language are

respected, including preventing any use of obscene language, and to counter

excessive use of foreign words;

- to enhance Russia’s global role by promoting traditional spiritual and moral

values based on long-standing universal values.

Efforts to implement state policy to preserve and strengthen traditional values

are designed to help maintain and expand the population of Russia, preserve national

civic identity, develop human potential, sustain civil peace and accord in the country,

strengthen the rule of law and order, build a safe information space, shield Russian

society from the spread of destructive ideology, achieve national development goals,

and enhance the competitiveness and international prestige of the Russian

Federation.