Moral Imperatives of Russian Allegiance

Abstract

The paper provides the author’s understanding of the role and place of moral elements in the institute of Russian allegiance. Using the example of historical normative acts and specific cases of joining Russian citizenship, it is proved that allegiance, although it acted as a legal institution, had a significant moral and ethical content. This conclusion is based primarily on the analysis of the texts of the oath, which was given when accepting Russian allegiance. In particular, it contained the main duties voluntarily recognized by the new subjects. It is noted that the key duty of a subject was to follow the moral category of «loyalty». In turn, the Russian state, relying on Orthodox doctrine, provided protection and patronage to new subjects. In conclusion, it is stated that the modern Russian state is interested in increasing its population at the expense of people who consciously connect their lives with Russia and are ready to sincerely work for its benefit. For its part, Russia is ready to provide them with protection and patronage. In this regard, the introduction of norms into the federal law «On Citizenship of the Russian Federation», which provides for an oath upon entry into Russian citizenship, is evaluated as an example of a successful reception of domestic historical experience into the legal system. Such an oath is not of a religious nature, as it has been historically, which is quite justified, given the secular nature of the state, declared in the Constitution of the Russian Federation. However, the modern concept of citizenship is based on moral imperatives as well as on the imperatives from the past.