Aleksandr Dugin’s concept of the “monotonic process” is a core element of his critique of modernity and a foundational rejection in his Fourth Political Theory. This term encapsulates his philosophical opposition to linear, progressive views of history and development.
1. Definition and Core Critique
- The “monotonic process” refers to the Western modernist paradigm of unidirectional progress, characterized by perpetual economic growth, technological advancement, and linear historical development toward a universal endpoint (e.g., liberal democracy or globalized capitalism) .
- Dugin argues this process enforces homogenization, destroying cultural, spiritual, and civilizational diversity by subordinating all societies to a single operational logic. He links it to “progress,” “modernization,” and “growth” ideologies that prioritize material advancement over ontological and spiritual roots .
2. Context within the Fourth Political Theory
- Dugin’s Fourth Political Theory positions itself against the three dominant ideologies of modernity: liberalism, communism, and fascism. All three, he contends, share a commitment to the monotonic process:
- Liberalism promotes individualism and globalized markets as the “end of history.”
- Communism envisions linear class struggle culminating in a utopian society.
- Fascism emphasizes hyper-modernization and racial/nationalist supremacy.
- By rejecting monotonicity, Dugin seeks an ideology beyond modernity that restores pre-modern values while adapting them to contemporary struggles.
3. Key Elements of His Critique
- Anti-Universalism: The monotonic process imposes Western values (e.g., human rights, democracy) as universal, eroding unique civilizational identities. Dugin asserts these are not universal but distinctly Western constructs .
- Spiritual Decay: It replaces sacred traditions with rationalism, scientism, and materialism, leading to what Heidegger termed “the oblivion of Being.”
- Geopolitical Domination: Monotonic progress enables Atlanticist (U.S.-led) hegemony, using globalization to uproot non-Western models (e.g., via projects like the “Great Middle East”).
4. Alternatives Proposed by Dugin
Dugin advocates replacing the monotonic process with:
- Cyclical Temporality: Emphasizing repetition, balance, and harmony over linear advancement. He valorizes ancient traditions simply because they are ancient: “Ancient means good, and the more ancient—the better.”
- Civilizational Pluralism: A multipolar world order where distinct civilizations (e.g., Russian Eurasianism, Islamic states) coexist without imposed universal models.
- Existential Politics: Prioritizing **localized identities**—ethnic, religious, and cultural—over individualism or class-based subjects. This aligns with his Heideggerian focus on Dasein (Being) rooted in specific geographies.
5. Practical Implications
- Policy Shifts: Dugin urges societies to focus on preservation and adaptive change rather than growth. Examples include rejecting consumerism, revitalizing orthodox traditions, and protecting sovereignty against globalization.
- Geopolitical Strategy: Russia’s role as a Eurasian civilization-state must challenge Atlanticism by forging alliances (e.g., with Iran, Germany) to dismantle unipolarity.
Table: Dugin’s Contrast Between Monotonic Process and Fourth Political Theory
| Monotonic Process (Modernity) | Fourth Political Theory (Alternative) |
| |
|
| Linear progress/growth | Cyclical time; balance/harmony |
| Universal Western values | Civilizational multipolarity |
| Materialism/rationalism | Spiritual Revival and Great Awakening |
| Globalization | Multipolar world order |
| Individual as historical subject | Cultural/religious communities as subjects |
Conclusion
For Dugin, the monotonic process symbolizes the epistemological tyranny of Western modernity. Rejecting it is essential for humanity’s “metaphysical liberation” and the resurgence of traditional civilizations. His alternative vision—rooted in Heideggerian ontology, Traditionalism, and Eurasian geopolitics—aims to catalyze a “conservative revolution” against Enlightenment-derived ideologies.
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