The Russian State on Center Stage: An Update.

The article focuses on the historiographical debates surrounding Russian exceptionalism and the evolution of state power in Russia, particularly through the works of three historians: Endre Sashalmi, Pierre Gonneau, and Boris Uspenskii. Sashalmi examines the distinctiveness of Russian political thought from Western ideologies, emphasizing the autocratic nature of Russian governance and its historical continuity. Gonneau analyzes the military history of Russia, linking its imperialist expansion to long-standing patterns of state power, while Uspenskii provides a detailed account of Peter the Great's accession to the throne, highlighting the complexities of legitimacy and authority in Russian political culture. Collectively, these works underscore the persistent influence of state-centered narratives in Russian historiography, despite ongoing debates about the nature of Russian governance and its historical trajectory. [Extracted from the article]