At thirty he came to the States. And only twenty years later, according to him, these "strange Americans" became more or less accessible to his understanding. And yet he never ceases to be amazed at them. It is difficult to understand a country in which one was not born, did not grow up and did not spend his childhood, says Nikolai Vasilyevich Zlobin.
Political strategist, historian, publicist
Every day he finds something new and amazing in this country.
The star of modern Russian and American political technology, historian and publicist, Nikolai Vasilyevich Zlobin lives and works in Washington. He currently serves as President of the Center for Global Interests.
He is the author of many books and publications on political and historical topics, in particular the topic of Russian-American relations.
Common language
In one of his interviews with AiF.ru, Nikolai Vasilyevich Zlobin described the awareness of the peoples of the two superpowers about each other's life as follows: the citizens of America and Russia are interested in completely different aspects of information. The "inconsistencies" in the approaches are so great that they can be compared withliving in different layers of the atmosphere.
It is not surprising, the political scientist believes, that it is difficult for an American and a Russian to find a common language when they meet.
The little things that make up life
In one of his new books, Nikolai Vasilyevich Zlobin described the striking difference in the approach of Americans and Russians to the little things of life. Or rather, they seem like a trifle to him, a Russian.
For example, in America, it is customary to come to joint parties with your own food to relieve the hostess. When almost everything is already eaten, the hostess tries to get the half-eaten treats. She starts clearing the table long before the guests decide to leave. Everyone participates in cleaning and washing dishes, and then, meticulously and funny, as the author believes, the guests find out where whose plate is. In the end, they agree to transfer the missing dishes to each other one of these days. And we can talk about penny plastic cups and plates.
Country of steps
Much more attention deserves a remark about Russians, according to Zlobin Nikolai Vasilievich, an American wife (his own, now ex). More, because in the “little things” she noticed, there are deep signs of the mentality of the Russian nation, the self-determination of the people in relation to the universe.
A woman who came to Russia for the first time drew attention to the abundance of steps present everywhere: at the entrance to the entrance of the Stalinist skyscraper, at the entrance to the elevator, at the entrance to the park. To get on a trolleybus, a tram, a minibus - you need to overcome the steps.
"Howpensioners, the disabled, mothers with prams?" the woman wondered.
After her words, the scientist took a fresh look at this circumstance. There are really many steps in Russia. This feature of architecture reflects the aspiration inherent in Russian spirituality - up, up!
And in comparison with the importance of this global aspiration to the "high", what are some disabled people? As, however, and other citizens.
In America, the political scientist notes, everything is at ground level. In order to climb up, no one needs to make an effort: there are a lot of devices: ramps, elevators.
This trifle has many aspects, the scientist believes, spiritual and social, psychological, worthy of deep analysis.
Take care of yourself
In America, they are used to living in debt. Citizens love their credit cards. Giving loans for them is a good incentive to work without relaxing.
All their lives, Americans work for their own welfare in old age. Every year they receive information on how their Social Security amount changes depending on income and taxes paid during the year.
Throughout their lives, the citizens of America earn their old age. Not the state, but citizens are determined to take care of themselves in the future.
It's not like that in Russia. Russia, the scientist believes, unlike America, is a social state, in which the Constitution guarantees citizens the care of the country about their old age.
Oh happiness
Americans and Russians also approach the issue of happiness differently, believesNikolay Zlobin. Russians, in his opinion, feel happiness more emotionally, while for Americans it depends to a large extent on certain rationalistic considerations.
For happiness, an American needs a sense of social, especially financial, security. The whole life of the average American citizen is a kind of social project, the purpose of which is to invest in oneself, in children, in he alth, etc. An American will be happy if he realizes that the project was a success. This is more rational than sentimental.
Russians are happier, the fewer requests they have. To live content with little, somewhere in the outback, to enjoy every day, not to worry about anything - this is the whole Russian. The calmer and happier he feels, the less he has to answer for something and make decisions.
Sharp turn
The invitation to work in America more than twenty years ago was a real turning point for him. America is the country in which his home is located, where his career has developed and, as Zlobin Nikolai Vasilievich told reporters, his personal life.
Residing in the States was never part of his plans. It was a business trip, a contract that dragged on for twenty years.
Zlobin Nikolai Vasilyevich: personal life, wife
The scientist has been married and divorced many times. One of his ex-wives was an American citizen. With Leah, his current wife, Nikolai Zlobin is raising a daughter.
Nikolai Vasilyevich Zlobin: biography
Futurepolitical strategist - a native Muscovite, was born in 1958 in a family of prominent Soviet scientists. His father, V. A. Zlobin, was an honored professor of history. Mother, K. K. Zlobina, is a nuclear physicist.
Studied at Moscow School No. 14, graduated from the Faculty of History of Moscow State University.
From 1979 to 1993 - graduate student, and then doctoral student of the Federal State University (Faculty of Public Administration). Leading Research Fellow, Associate Professor, Professor at Moscow State University, Kremlin Consultant.
Teaching and political activities
In the period from 1993 to 2000, Zlobin Nikolai Vasilyevich was engaged in scientific and teaching work in America and Europe: at the universities of Washington, Georgetown, Harvard, etc.
At the same time, he becomes the founder and co-editor of one of the well-known magazines published in the USA, dealing with issues of democratization in the post-Soviet countries.
2000 to present:
- becomes director of international news agency Washington Profile;
- leads programs at the Center for Defense Information, US World Security Institute;
- is a regular member of discussion clubs and political forums;
- Member of the editorial boards and boards of academic and political publications such as Izvestia, Vedomosti, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Snob, The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times » and others;
- has a weekly radio and TV feature;
- BBC regular commentator;
- adviser to the American government, consultant to the Kremlin.
Scientific work
Zlobin has written about 20 books and 200 scientific publications. His journalism has been translated into many languages and published in 30 countries around the world.
He is the author of university textbooks (history, politics, global journalism). They were given the first "non-communist" school textbook on history in the distant 80s.
About the "theory of a non-polar world"
In the early 2000s, he put forward the theory that a "non-polar world" underlies the current international system. Based on this, foreign state policy should be considered as a conscious and formalized selfishness.
Zlobin supports the idea of “eroding” the sovereignty of national powers. Critical of regional security.
Attitude towards Russian politics
He predicts the collapse of the Russian Federation into separate states. Supports the gradual elimination of Russian internal borders.
Considered a principled critic of the current Russian government. But there is information in the media about her unofficial support for scientists.
On relations with Vladimir Putin
- In 2005, Nikolai Zlobin managed to obtain a receipt from V. Putin containing assurances of his refusal to run for the presidency of the Russian Federation in 2008 and to make changes to the Constitution to obtain such an opportunity.
- In 2006, during a conversation with political scientist V. Putin, it was stated that he does not consider himself a politician in the traditional sense.
- In 2008, when asked by journalist Zlobin aboutabout how long V. Putin is going to work as prime minister, he issued a catchphrase: "How much God will give."
- In 2009, V. Putin told Zlobin that he and Medvedev were "of the same blood", so they had no reason to compete in the next presidential elections. They can “sit down and negotiate.”
Books
Among the most popular books by Nikolai Vasilievich Zlobin: “Russia in the Post-Soviet Space”, “The Second New World Order”, “Confrontation. Russia. USA”, “On the sidelines of Washington”, “Putin – Medvedev. What’s next?”, “America… People live!”, “America is a fiend of paradise.”
