APPENDIX 1.
THE TERMINOLOGY AND CONCEPTS USED:
DEFINITIONS
I
n this first small chapter we wish to define more precisely the principal terms
used further. It's always quite complicated procedure, but in this particular case we can do it quite correctly after describing indicative qualities of
every main socio-cultural formation. We do not even hope to present here a completely exhaustive, maximum correct definitions, and in general don't
believe such "statements of a things' precise meaning" make any particular sense. It seems more important to define certain theoretical basis
that would make it possible to successively and exactly distinguish one socio-cultural formation or process from another, along the whole length of
their historical evolution. Complexity of this task is that socio-cultural formations and processes have very long life terms and exist as an astonishing
diversity of specific external forms. With it all, their essence remains one and the same. Variety of the socio-cultural formations' and processes' specific
forms makes defining the terminology used here quite a practical problem.
* * *
HOMELAND - the most deeply transformed in a socio-cultural respect territory
where representatives of a certain socio-cultural formation lived and / or still live during historically lengthy interval of time, absolutely securing
this territory as their own. Homeland's territory is always furiously protected and defended from any outside invasions. Representatives of the alien
socio-cultural formations may be present there only for a brief time and with many restrictions that especially concerns homelands of socio-cultural systems.
Territories of the Urals and Moscow region may serve as the examples of the Russian
homeland. They were assimilated according to Russian standards and are clearly interpreted as Russian homeland, though duration of these territories'
occupation by the Russian population differs essentially.
SOCIO-CULTURAL SYSTEM (SCS) - type of the socio-cultural formations dominating in a socio-cultural evolution. SCS-s include main part of
the World's population and inhabited territories. SCS-s are characterised by great sizes of their territories and considerable quantities of own population;
they possess original standards of a space, society and state organisation as well as many unique qualities because of those they do differ drastically from
the rest of the socio-cultural formations.
Unique characteristics of SCS-s are as follows:
* ability to expand own homeland at the expense of socio-cultural assimilation of
a new territories;
* ability to generate complicated structure of own space, with internal buffer
zones, in order to protect and defend itself from other SCS-s;
* complete cycle of the space socio-cultural assimilation which includes seven
principal periods;
* domination of the inner logic over outer factors which are always used in a
strict correspondence with the SCS's evolution internal order;
* ability to create naturally dependent vassals in a course of socio-cultural
transformation of other territories;
* own world religion, or its own unique version;
* ability to widen a circulation of own language outside own homeland, and first
of all - in the internal buffer zone and among the naturally dependent vassals;
* reliability and self-sufficiency of own economy;
* ability to generate and invent stable original economic standards and forms
which may have no analogues outside a single SCS.
There are eight socio-cultural systems, and in the process of their evolution each of
them goes through seven periods. With this, with every period SCS-s acquire specific distinguished forms. Thus, there are 56 essentially different external
forms of SCS-s to examine which we should base all the theoretical interpretations on a correct generalisation of a very high level.
INTERNAL BUFFER ZONE OF SCS - qualitatively original and distinctive socio-cultural part of the SCS's space that is always
located on the "outskirts" of the SCS's homeland, along its borders with other socio-cultural formations. Internal buffer zone is destined mainly
to protect homeland of a single SCS from immediate contacts with alien SCS-s and their possible aggression. It may border with an external socio-cultural
buffer zone as well as an internal buffer zone of a neighbouring SCS. Organisation of an internal buffer zone is characterised by many distinctive
qualities determined by the specific evolutionary process of the SCS this particular buffer zone belongs to.
Example of the internal buffer zone of the past is the territory of the Great Novgorod
Principality that, during socio-cultural contest of Russian SCS of the XI - XVI centuries, protected Russian homeland from the invasions of Western SCS. Modern
internal buffer zone of Russian SCS is formed by the newly independent states rising after the collapse and transformation of the USSR. All of them,
excluding Belarus and Kazakhstan, have formed internal buffer zone of Russian SCS, irrespective of their own wishes as well as - and especially -
declarations.
NATURALLY DEPENDENT VASSAL - relatively integral territory with own population that retains some - not really principal - differences from
the neighbouring, dominating over it SCS, but became this SCS's inalienable part as a result of a lengthy and systematic socio-cultural transformation. It
is important that sizes of states - naturally dependent vassals may vary essentially: the point isn't size in itself, but a special socio-cultural type
of these formations.
Naturally dependent vassals may possess a considerable amount of political and economic
independence, have quite complicated - at times conflicting - relationships with their dominants, being actually just a part of a dominating SCS.
In fact, they practically cannot change their socio-cultural status, and the point
isn't just separate, single economic or political actions, but socio-cultural measures that should be conducted successively during several centuries and
(most probably) on the competing SCS-s' own initiative. Only initiative or, especially, declaratory wishes of a naturally dependent vassal itself are never
quite enough to change its socio-cultural status, and no single example of a naturally dependent vassal really changing its status is known. Study of eight
SCS-s along the whole length of their history confirms that, if some territory was formed as a naturally dependent vassal of a certain SCS, then it remains as
such forever.
Example of a naturally dependent vassals are modern, now politically independent states
rising in place of the disintegrated former USSR. All of them, excluding only Belarus and Kazakhstan, are naturally dependent vassals of Russia.
EXTERNAL SOCIO-CULTURAL BUFFER ZONE - type of the socio-cultural formations that evolves to separate two or more alien SCS-s. As
a rule, external buffer zones border not immediately with the SCS-s, but with their internal buffer zones completely controlled by their own SCS-s. External
buffer zone as a special socio-cultural formation is characterised by extreme instability and dependence on dynamics of those SCS-s it separates.
East Europe may serve as the classic example of the external buffer zone, being a
special type of the socio-cultural formation which separates Western and Russian SCS-s.
SOCIO-CULTURAL DOMAIN (SCD) - type of the socio-cultural formations that is quite similar to socio-cultural system, but possesses a
substantial quantity of a principal distinctions. It's characterised by stable and prolonged existence as well as specific economic, social and cultural
forms. Fundamental differences compare to SCS are that SCD-s are categorically unable to assimilate and transform new territories into own homeland, expanding
it with this, and create naturally dependent vassals: so, there is no systematic work with space as in case of a socio-cultural systems. The effect is
a sort of socio-cultural conservation: SCD-s do not change / expand their own space and in general do not evolve in themselves during very prolonged periods;
modern results of such phenomenon are quite modest sizes of their territories. Another essential SCD-s distinction from SCS-s manifests itself in their
extraordinary situational behaviour.
At the present level of knowledge about socio-cultural formations and processes,
there is no possibility to determine the reasons for emerging differences of socio-cultural
systems and domains with respect to space, but it's possible to describe all the details and components of these distinctions.
MIXED SOCIO-CULTURAL REGION - territory that has no distinct internal socio-cultural dominant and where various socio-cultural
formations (SCS-s, SCD-s and buffer zones) co-exist. As a rule, these are regions of the young historical assimilation which, in some perspective, gain
socio-cultural certainty, but with this may retain in their boundaries presence of a several socio-cultural formations. Most probable evolution of a mixed
socio-cultural regions is into naturally dependent vassals and external buffer zones, and as a more rare case - into part of the homeland of some SCS.
ENCLAVE - territory of a historically temporary domination of a particular SCS
within another socio-cultural and / or political formation. Genesis and evolution of enclaves are diverse and in many respects depend on a specific
characteristics of a particular SCS's dynamics. As a rule, enclaves are generated in a process of expanding areas controlled by one or another SCS.
They carry out important socio-cultural tasks, but are not lasting as from historical point of view. Next in turn stage of the SCS's evolution may become
the reason for enclave's degradation, even in the absence of an external pressure.
ENCLAVE-COMMUNITY WITHIN ALIEN SCS - critical self-reproducible quantity of one SCS' population permanently living on the territory of another
SCS and retaining with this own specific socio-cultural standards. Enclave-community reproduces itself by means of both natural growth and
mechanical migrations of population from maternal SCS into SCS of permanent inhabitancy. Enclave-communities are most typical for the regions of mixed
socio-cultural assimilation as well as pioneer colonisation.
As the classical example we may consider black inhabitants of North America, and
the USA in particular.
CIVILISATION - initial form of the territories' sporadic socio-cultural colonisation
that may be found in a socio-cultural systems, but does not bear an compulsory character. It is typical for the first periods of the SCS-s' evolution. As soon
as SCS starts large-scale spatial assimilation, civilisation is being absorbed by its own SCS and then change its organization into another forms.
Civilisations are isolated one from another, but not from their own SCS-s. It is an initial form of the SCS's existence, its possible first exterior
manifestation and appearance.
Quite often, ecological crises become the specific reason for transition from the
territories' sporadic colonisation within civilisations to their large-scale spatial assimilation. Such crises are being generated as an indications of the
achieving the certain level of the space assimilation processes. Results of ecological crises generated by civilisations are usually migrations of their
population to other regions. From that point of view, civilisations might also be considered as a cause for the growth of the SCS's population up to certain
quantity. Most of the known civilisations are the facts of the distant history: they either remained in the past, or have grown into SCS-s. It is especially
important to link the fact of the existence of civilisations as a quite reserved centres of culture and territories' assimilation and the fact that they often
did not produce any inheritance to the fact that the general process of socio-cultural assimilation "re-covers" such formations, absorbs and
"dissolves" them within.
Ecological crises as a reason for the civilisations' decay, or their drastic degradation,
should be examined from the general positions of fundamental socio-cultural process of the territories' assimilation. In such context, it is clear that
ecological crisis is the most efficient way and reason to make the population of a certain civilisation to "spread" around the under-populated
territory of its own SCS.
SOCIO-CULTURAL CONTEST - process which is inherent only for socio-cultural
systems. Its socio-cultural meaning lies in developing and selecting the most efficient, in a specific historical conditions, socio-cultural basis for a
certain SCS which should determine further ways of solving this SCS' most fundamental and principal problems. Socio-cultural contests may take place
during various periods of the SCS-s evolution and, as a rule, in a form of a cycle of civil wars, domestic quarrels and feuds, economic and cultural
depression. They do usually leave the very gloomy and strange memories in the following generations and become the subject of subsequent falsifications from
the side of their very own SCS-s. In reality, socio-cultural contests are absolutely necessary for the efficient growth and development of any SCS and
are a kind of its response to changing arrangements of socio-cultural powers.
SOCIO-CULTURAL STANDARD - combination of the specific regulating principles
and norms that rule a state's and society's organization, as well as specific forms through those internal potential of a socio-cultural formation is being
realised. Initial socio-cultural standard emerges together with its socio-cultural formation. As for SCS's, it's being formed during first period
of their evolution; then it may be essentially transformed as a result of a socio-cultural contest conducted by SCS. Transformation of a socio-cultural
standard takes place only in SCS-s: it is an indication of their high adaptability to changing (socio-cultural) environment / conditions.
SOCIO-CULTURAL MIGRATIONS (SOCIO-CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT MIGRATIONS) - migrations that are directed outside the traditional homeland of a
certain SCS and aimed at the socio-cultural transformation of the alien territories into the new homeland of the SCS in question, or creating its
naturally dependent vassals. Ability to generate such migrations is the unique quality of SCS-s. Specific causes that bring them about may be very different,
but, as a rule, manifest themselves through generating a sort of the "end of the World" within traditional homeland.
Example of the migrations aimed at the expanding the own homeland is eastward flight of
Russians to new territories in Siberia and Far East as from the second half of the XVI century, and especially - as from the second half of the XVII century.
The result of the "time of troubles" within the traditional - at the time - Russian homeland and the Russian Orthodox church schism were mass
migrations of the Russian population to new lands that thus became the new Russian homeland - not the result of a fortuitous, but socio-culturally
grounded process.
Processes of the rise and growth of the Cossack movement in Moscow Tsardom and Russian
Empire as well as resettlements of a considerable numbers of Russians in Baltic Republics and Central (Middle) Asia during Soviet times may serve as the
examples of the migrations aimed at the creating naturally dependent vassals. Results of such "melting" actions and processes began revealing
themselves only after the USSR disintegration. Transformed in a socio-cultural respect territories turned out to be greatly dependent from Russia.
Such processes are of universal character and take place in the evolution of actually all the SCS-s - socio-cultural migrations are not unique for any one
of them.
SCS's EVOLUTION - process of the SCS's change through realisation of its own internal potential and taking into consideration outer factors and
conditions. External factors may exert essential influence on SCS, mainly on its specific forms, but in general, process of the SCS's evolution is a product
of its own internal development.
PERIOD - historically significant interval of time in the SCS's evolution
during which radical and clearly identified transformation of the entire SCS's space, based on its own internal logic, takes place. Qualitatively redesigned
organization of the entire SCS's space is usually the result of the completed period.
SUBPERIOD - a part of a period during which vital and definitely identified
transformations of some territories within the SCS's space are being performed. Such transformations may be regarded as individual manifestations of a more
fundamental processes of space assimilation within SCS.
The basic distinction between the period and subperiod is that changes occurred
during a subperiod may be of a local character, connected only to a separate regions within SCS. A sum of subperiods forms a period. A period, depending on
its own specifics and current tasks of a SCS, may include a varied number of empirically established subperiods (as a rule, from 2 to 5).
STAGE - a part of a subperiod within which clearly distinguished specific
political, economic and/or social transformations / reorganisation of SCS, not necessarily connected with recurrent completed changes in a process of its
space assimilation, take place.
Stage is usually a historically brief interval of time and is only identified when a
very detailed analysis of the SCS's evolution is being made. Presence of a certain political, economic and/or social specifics in the SCS's evolution is a
criterion to single out a stage.
Idea of a stage is extremely important to correctly interpret a historical data on
specific SCS's evolution. Socio-cultural approach isn't just general theoretical construction, but it's a tool and basis for examination and
interpretation of concrete processes and events.
APPENDIX 2.
TYPES OF THE SOCIO-CULTURAL FORMATIONS
SOCIO-CULTURAL TYPE'S INDICATIONS / QUALITIES
SOCIO-CULTURAL SPACE
1.1. Relatively large areas of permanent inhabitancy
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
Always possesses and controls significant territories
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
Never comparable to the SCS' space. As a rule, it's much less than the territory of
any taken separately SCS, and may be quite insignificant
Socio-cultural buffer zone
Never comparable with the SCS' space. As a rule, it's much less than the territory of
any taken separately SCS, and as the neighbouring socio-cultural systems progress, decreases to a certain modest size
Mixed socio-cultural region
May possess quite large initial area, but demonstrates persistent tendency to its
gradual reduction, due to various parts of the territory assimilation into and by other socio-cultural formations - socio-cultural systems and domains
1.2. Homeland where significant quantities of its population live permanently
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
Always has own homeland where significant part of its population lives continually
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
In accordance with this particular criterion, there are two types of socio-cultural domains:
* Stable SCD, with permanent homeland and permanent population;
* Sporadic SCD, with homeland where its population may be absent for centuries
Socio-cultural buffer zone
Homeland exists, but it's extremely changeable in configuration and size, and unstable.
Its fluctuations depend mainly on external factors, such as pressure from the side of a neighbouring SCS-s. Furthermore, homeland cannot be defined
absolutely exactly within an entire area of inhabitancy and control of this particular socio-cultural type's population as a whole
Mixed socio-cultural region
Homeland has no definite, precise character. At the developed stage, micro-differences
of the neighbouring socio-cultural enclaves' homelands may take place. Representatives of the various socio-cultural systems and domains have own
homelands within the mixed region
1.3. Ability to expand the homeland, through assimilation into it new territories
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
Has the ability to assimilate the new territories into own homeland, as a rule, in
regard to territories bordering with the old homeland and extended from its boundaries for any distance. This ability is the unique quality and indication
of SCS
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
Has no such ability. Only temporary changes of the space under control may take
place. In practice, homeland never changes to grow
Socio-cultural buffer zone
Has no such ability. Homeland may hardly be defined from an entire area of permanent inhabitancy of the particular socio-cultural buffer zone's population
and its temporary control. Homeland never grows as a result of new territories assimilation
Mixed socio-cultural region
Socio-cultural systems' homelands expand to a considerable degree at the expense of
transformation of the mixed socio-cultural regions' spaces. Population of the mixed socio-cultural regions themselves does not reveal any tendencies to
expand their homeland(-s)
1.4. Ability to generate complicated internal structure of own socio-cultural space,
as a response to demands from the outside (existence of an internal buffer zones)
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
Has the ability to generate complicated internal structure of own space, mainly in
order to protect and defend itself from other SCS-s and as a response to respective demands from the outside. This ability expresses itself in creating
internal buffer zones along the borders with other SCS-s and external buffer zones. This is the unique quality and indication of SCS
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
Has no ability to generate complicated internal structure of own space. It is
homogeneous because of its insignificant size and absence of systematic work with own space as well as neighbouring territories during historically
considerable intervals of time
Socio-cultural buffer zone
Has no ability to generate complicated internal structure of own space. The latter
is extremely unstable and changeable in configuration and size, and depends on outer factors, in particular, state / conditions and conflicts of the
neighbouring SCS-s
Mixed socio-cultural region
Has no ability to generate complicated internal structure of own space. The latter
is extremely unstable and changeable in configuration and size, and depends on outer factors, in particular, state / conditions and conflicts of the
neighbouring SCS-s
1.5. Ability to generate civilisations as a form of the own territory sporadic
colonisation and assimilation, at the early stages of evolution
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
Does have such ability. In the early periods of evolution, SCS-s may produce isolated civilisations. Later on, as SCS develops and evolves, it absorbs these
civilisations into itself. Generating civilisations is a unique, but, none the less, not obligatory quality and indication of the SCS: it depends on a
specific (regional) conditions of a historical process
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
Unable to generate civilisations. In spite of their whatever great age and antiquity,
SCD-s do not invent such forms of the territories' colonisation / assimilation
Socio-cultural buffer zone
Unable to generate civilisations
Mixed socio-cultural region
Unable to generate civilisations
1.6. Ability to independently generate one or several stable states within own
socio-cultural space
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
Possesses the ability to independently generate one or several stable states. Number of
states depends on a period of the SCS evolution and may vary greatly (from one state occupying the whole SCS's territory, and up to several dozens)
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
This ability manifests itself depending on the SCD's type:
* Stable SCD with stable population and stable homeland, as a rule, generates one
stable state;
* Sporadic SCD with homeland where its population may be absent for centuries,
generates one state that however exists only from time to time
Socio-cultural buffer zone
Never independently generates stable states. Buffer states constantly change their
boundaries and, in general, greatly vary in their sizes and configurations. Subject to (conflicting) interests and state / conditions of competing
neighbouring SCS-s, they may be represented either by one or several states. Any buffer states are extremely unstable and always greatly depend on external
factors (inter-relations of neighbouring SCS-s, in particular)
Mixed socio-cultural region
Never independently generates stable states, though areas inhabited by certain
population - but never states - may be quite stable. May have both one or several states as well as no states at all: everything depends on positions of
SCS-s participating in the region's assimilation, and the evolutionary age of the mixed region itself
1.7. Concentration of the considerable reserves of vitally important natural
resources within own socio-cultural space
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
Usually possesses considerable reserves of vitally important natural resources. Their
structure differs significantly and, of course, depends on previous geological history of the SCS's territory, but in general available resources allow the
SCS's economy to exist, in practice, autonomously
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
SCD's territory, as a rule, isn't considerable in itself, and most often reserves of
vitally important natural resources are not contained there. In case of Northern SCD, their independent exploitation is in fact impossible due to
primitive level of this SCD's general progress
Socio-cultural buffer zone
As a rule, there are no considerable reserves of vitally important natural resources within socio-cultural buffer zones. And if such resources are found,
then unstable space of a buffer zone becomes an object for the next re-partition by competing neighbouring SCS-s, and buffer zone itself is again
left without an important natural resource
Mixed socio-cultural region
Considerable reserves of vitally important natural resources may be found, but their
exploitation is completely determined by various SCS-s participating in a mixed region's assimilation, and is an external business for the particular mixed
region itself
1.8. Ability to generate ecological crises as a steps in assimilating own socio-cultural
space
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
Possesses the ability to generate ecological crises within local spaces during process of
their assimilation, in order to move then further, to new territories with better natural and living conditions - in order to generate ecological crises
there afresh. Such is, as a matter of fact, strategy of an initial socio-cultural assimilation of territories within utmost possible limits. After
the boundaries of the socio-culturally assimilated spaces are defined, ecological crises lose their socio-cultural meaning and are not being generated any more
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
There is no such ability. SCD-s do not generate ecological crises as a step in a
space assimilation, and are adapted to their natural environment with maximum correctness. The reason is not so much their highly-developed culture, but
mainly their inability to expand own socio-culturally assimilated space
Socio-cultural buffer zone
Socio-culturally oriented ecological crises may take place in a buffer zones, but they are never
aimed to expand their own socio-cultural space and / or assimilate alien territories, and are results of periodic fluctuations of a buffer zone's
territory influenced by neighbouring SCS-s. The reason for such ecological crises may be, for instance, next in turn replacement of a dominating SCS.
Similar ecological crises are generated not by buffer zone itself, but by one of neighbouring SCS-s within a buffer zone's space - as a sort of
socio-cultural provocation aimed at achieving certain purposes of a certain SCS
Mixed socio-cultural region
Socio-culturally oriented ecological crises may take place in a mixed regions, but they are
never aimed at expanding their own socio-cultural space and assimilating alien territories, and are results of periodic changes in the SCS-s' power
arrangements in the region. The reason for such ecological crisis may be, for instance, next in turn replacement of a dominant in the region
2. SOCIO-CULTURAL TIME
2.1. Stable existence during historically considerable intervals of time
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
Stable existence during historically significant intervals of time is a characteristic
of SCS-s. Their life terms are amounted to 2500 years and more
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
Stable existence during historically significant intervals of time is also a characteristic of SCD-s. Their life terms are amounted to 2500 years and more,
too
Socio-cultural buffer zone
Usually formed as a result of neighbouring SCS-s interaction and competition. As a
rule, duration of a buffer zone existence is lesser than that of any neighbouring SCS-s. Life term of the buffer zone as a specific socio-cultural
formation may amount to 1000 years and more
Mixed socio-cultural region
Heavily depends on specific (historical) conditions of the region colonisation. As a
developed formations may exist for a very long while without any changes. Life term of a completely formed mixed socio-cultural region may amount to 2000
years and more
2.2. Complete cycle of the own socio-cultural space formation which includes series
of successive periods determined by the inner logic of the space evolution
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
Possesses a complete cycle of the space socio-cultural assimilation. Researches reveal
seven principal periods of socio-cultural evolution, and every period may consist of a few particular phases - subperiods and stages. This is the unique
quality and indication of SCS
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
Has no such cycle. As distinguished from SCS, SCD does not work regularly at transforming its socio-cultural space. Its homeland is static during
historically considerable intervals. As a result of a favourable outside situation, SCD's controlled space may change drastically, but always for a very
brief time and without any socio-cultural assimilation / transformation of the territory that falls under such temporary control
Socio-cultural buffer zone
Has no complete cycle. Everything depends on the outside situation that determines
the buffer zone's behaviour. Buffer zone itself does not work regularly at expanding and transforming its socio-cultural space. As a result of a
favourable outside situation, space controlled by particular buffer zone may change drastically, but always for a (historically) brief time and without any
socio-cultural assimilation / transformation of the territory that falls under such temporary control
Mixed socio-cultural region
Has no complete cycle. Everything depends on the outside factors and situation that
determine specific behaviour of the mixed socio-cultural region. It's unable to work regularly at expanding and transforming its socio-cultural space at all
3. CONTACTS WITH OUTER WORLD
3.1. Correlation of inner logic and outer factors. Ability to resist socio-cultural
pressure from the outside
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
Inner logic always prevails over outer factors that are only used in case of strict
correspondence with the SCS's evolution internal order. Even successful external spatial expansions are always used for the own inner purposes. This is the
unique quality and indication of SCS
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
Does have some inner regularities which may sometimes prevail over external factors,
but in many cases namely outer factors prove to play decisive role in determining ways of the SCD's evolution. Pressure from the outside does not
usually lead to annihilation of the SCD's socio-cultural specifics, but its resistance to the outside influences isn't sufficient
Socio-cultural buffer zone
Internal logic does not play a significant role. Outer factors obviously dominate.
Pressure from the neighbouring SCS-s' side takes place nearly permanently and determines ways of the buffer zone evolution. Resistance to the outside influences
is extremely low
Mixed socio-cultural region
Internal logic does not play a significant role. Outer factors obviously prevail.
Correlation of the various SCS-s' positions in the mixed socio-cultural region determines ways of its evolution. Resistance to the outside influences is
extremely low
3.2. Ability to create socio-cultural enclaves to transform and assimilate alien
territories
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
Possesses the ability to create enclaves within alien regions to transform and assimilate
them socio-culturally. This is the unique quality and indication of SCS
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
Has no such ability. May establish temporary enclaves only as a way of own diffusion, but never - for socio-cultural transformation and assimilation of
alien territories
Socio-cultural buffer zone
Has no such ability. May establish temporary enclaves only as a way of own diffusion, but never - for socio-cultural transformation and assimilation of
alien territories. Territories of the socio-cultural buffer zones themselves are often being assimilated into other socio-cultural formations
Mixed socio-cultural region
Has no such ability. Population of the mixed regions may create temporary enclaves
only as a way of own diffusion, but never - for socio-cultural transformation and assimilation of alien territories, often being themselves assimilated into
other socio-cultural formations
3.3. Ability to create socio-cultural enclave-communities
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
Able to create stable enclave-communities within alien socio-cultural formations
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
Able to create stable enclave-communities within alien socio-cultural formations
Socio-cultural buffer zone
Able to create temporary enclave-communities within alien socio-cultural formations
during periods of excessive emigration, but with time these enclave-communities always become themselves assimilated into their foster socio-cultural
formations
Mixed socio-cultural region
Able to create temporary enclave-communities within alien socio-cultural formations
during periods of excessive emigration, but with time these enclave-communities always become themselves assimilated into their foster socio-cultural
formations
3.4. Ability to establish colonies, military-political and economic vassals outside
own homeland
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
If necessary, may generate such vassals and colonies alike, usually established to
solve certain internal problems produced in the process of own socio-cultural evolution and other territories' transformation
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
In case of necessity and as a result of a certain, advantageous external situation, SCD-s with stable homelands may generate colonies and vassals, but
only for a very brief time. However, this never leads to socio-cultural transformation of neither stable SCD-s themselves nor peoples and territories
temporarily subordinate to them. Sporadic SCD-s never establish neither vassals nor colonies
Socio-cultural buffer zone
May generate colonies and vassals of a second grade, with this permanently being
itself a vassal of a certain neighbouring SCS. Space temporarily controlled by the buffer zone states never exceeds the limits of internal and external buffer
zones themselves. Changes of the controlled areas are absolutely unstable and always external matters for a buffer zone itself
Mixed socio-cultural region
Mixed socio-cultural region is usually itself a colony and / or vassal of a certain
SCS and subject to the various SCS-s struggle and socio-cultural competition
3.5. Ability to create naturally dependent vassals in a course of a socio-cultural
transformation of other territories
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
Has the ability to create naturally dependent vassals in a course of socio-cultural
transformation of other territories. This is the unique quality and indication of SCS
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
Has no such ability. Military-political and economic vassals of a second grade
never become naturally dependent ones. SCD-s themselves may, for some historical time, become vassals of a neighbouring SCS and then use such
subordinate status to achieve own goals and gain some socio-cultural benefits
Socio-cultural buffer zone
Has no such ability. Buffer zones never form naturally dependent vassals and themselves are always vassals of a neighbouring SCS. Change of a dominating SCS
is a routine and always external matter
Mixed socio-cultural region
Has no such ability. Mixed socio-cultural regions never form naturally dependent
vassals and themselves are always vassals of various SCS-s that pretend to assimilate some territories within the region. Change of a dominating SCS is a
routine and always external matter
4. POPULATION
4.1. Existence of a relatively large quantities of own population
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
Quantities of the SCS's population, compare to general numbers of currently inhabiting the
Earth people, are always significant. Most of the World's population lives within SCS-s
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
Quantities of the SCD-s' population, as a rule, are not comparable to those of SCS-s', but
may be quite significant, especially in the case of SCD-s with stable homelands
Socio-cultural buffer zone
Quantity of the buffer zone's population may be quite large, but, as a rule, it's never
comparable to that of any taken separately SCS. It maintains definite tendency to periodically reduce the numbers of own population, at the expense of various
mechanical migrations of its considerable parts
Mixed socio-cultural region
Quantity of the mixed region's population may be quite large, but, as a rule, it's not
comparable to that of SCS
4.2. Ability to conduct a successive socio-cultural assimilation of alien population, by including it into own structure together with the new
territories
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
Able to socio-culturally assimilate alien population successively. This ability
manifests itself during periods of creating the own homeland and internal buffer zones. This is the unique quality and indication of SCS
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
Has no such ability. SCD's population is rigidly reserved and unable to assimilate
alien population in principle. Isolation from the rest of the world is a strict standard of SCD as a specific socio-cultural formation
Socio-cultural buffer zone
Has no such ability. There is no isolation as in case of SCD, but there is no
assimilation of alien population either
Mixed socio-cultural region
Within mixed socio-cultural regions, assimilation of alien population and territories
by various SCS-s takes place. At the developed stages of a mixed region assimilation, it ceases to exist
4.3. Ability of population to retain its qualitative specific characteristics within
alien socio-cultural formations
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
SCS's population is able to preserve its specific qualities within alien socio-cultural formations
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
SCD's population possesses strikingly expressed ability to retain own specific
qualities within alien socio-cultural formations. It guarantees SCD's survival in a sporadic condition during historically considerable intervals of time
Socio-cultural buffer zone
Such ability isn't quite obvious. Usually, assimilation of the significant parts of
a buffer zone's population into other socio-cultural formations takes place
Mixed socio-cultural region
Population is too diverse and heterogeneous. As a rule, it retains own qualitative
characteristics, but also may be assimilated itself: everything depends on a combination of specific (historical) conditions
4.4. Extent of a socio-cultural homogeneity of the population
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
Population has homogeneous socio-cultural character. There are certain stages of its
socio-cultural assimilation. There is also definite distinction between population of such types of the socio-cultural spaces as homeland, internal
buffer zones and enclaves. Exceptions may appear among population inhabiting recently included into SCS territories. Existence of such non-converted
(non-transformed) socio-culturally population and its territories within SCS is usually temporary and ends in a complete socio-cultural assimilation. Growth of
the SCS population is attributed to natural increase as well as assimilation of new territories with all their population, with the latter's successive
conversion and transformation that may last for centuries
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
Population has homogeneous socio-cultural character and differs drastically from the rest
of the world. SCD's basic distinction from SCS is that growth of the SCD's population is attributed to its natural increase only, and never - to socio-cultural
conversion and assimilation of other territories with their population
Socio-cultural buffer zone
As a rule, population isn't socio-culturally homogeneous. Depending on a specific
historical situation, very different versions and combinations of the population socio-cultural structure may take place
Mixed socio-cultural region
As a rule, population isn't homogeneous. Depending on a specific historical situation, very different versions and combinations of the population
socio-cultural structure may occur
4.5. Ability to generate migrations of population for socio-cultural transformation
of other territories
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
Possesses such ability. SCS-s generate migrations of population to socio-culturally
transform alien territories into homelands, naturally dependent vassals and enclaves within buffer zones. In all the SCS-s, such migrations most often
happen as a result of creating "end of the World" (mass starvation, civil wars, unstable state authorities) within traditional homelands. This is
the unique quality and indication of SCS
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
Has no such ability
Socio-cultural buffer zone
Has no such ability
Mixed socio-cultural region
Has no such ability
4.6. Ability to generate migrations of population to diffuse it into other
socio-cultural formations, with no purpose of the latter's transformation
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
Has no such ability. SCS-s do never possess too big numbers of population so that
to force it out into new territories without historically clear and definite purposes of the latter's socio-cultural transformation
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
Such ability can be traced down. SCD-s representatives may be diffused into various
SCS-s and be present there to solve own problems, but never - to transform and assimilate other territories socio-culturally
Socio-cultural buffer zone
Such ability can be traced down. Mass migrations of the buffer zone's population into
alien socio-cultural formations, and especially - into SCS-s, are possible from time to time, and are even quite regular. Such migrations become a norm during
aggravation of a neighbouring SCS-s' competition to control some particular buffer zone, and may be well provoked by these SCS-s. However, migrations from
buffer zones never aim to transform and assimilate other territories socio-culturally
Mixed socio-cultural region
Such ability exists. Mass migrations of the mixed region's population into alien socio-cultural
formations, and especially - into SCS-s, are quite possible from time to time. Such migrations become a norm during aggravation of relations of the SCS-s that
participate in a competition to control some particular mixed region, and may be well provoked by these SCS-s. Migrations from mixed regions never aim to
transform and assimilate other territories socio-culturally
4.7. Ability to maintain multinational structure of population, with various
languages, within own socio-cultural formation
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
Possesses such ability. Can maintain whatever multinational structure of population and
large numbers of languages, even representing different lingual groups. Unity and integrity of the SCS's spaces is determined by their respective
assimilation. National and lingual diversity do not have an influence on SCS in principle. In this respect SCS-s may demonstrate staggering tolerance that
grows substantially after completing the socio-cultural transformation of the respective territories
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
Has no such ability. Within own homeland, consistent intolerance to different
nationalities and their suppression develop. In case of SCD with own stable homeland, mono-national structure of population and singular language usually
take place
Socio-cultural buffer zone
Has a multinational structure of population and big numbers of languages that are
foreign relatively one another. They are united only by the neighbouring SCS-s' pressure that affects all the nations of a buffer zone. This pressure may be
reflected differently on a different nations, and it naturally gives rise to inner problems within the buffer zone's population
Mixed socio-cultural region
Has a multinational structure of population and big numbers of languages that are
foreign relatively one another. They are united only by the fact that pressure of the competing for the region SCS-s affects all its nations / population.
This pressure may be reflected differently on a different nations, and it naturally gives rise to inner problems within the mixed region's population
5. RELIGION, LANGUAGE AND SPIRITUAL CULTURE
5.1. Own specific world religion, or its own unique version
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
Always possesses own world religion or its own unique version. This is the unique
quality and indication of SCS
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
Has no own world religion. SCD's religions may be of a national character only and
are bound to this particular SCD at most
Socio-cultural buffer zone
Has no own world religion. Some version of the neighbouring SCS's religion always
dominates. Choice of the religion is determined by specific historical and often circumstantial factors; in general, it's completely regulated by
correlation of the neighbouring SCS-s' positions in the area
Mixed socio-cultural region
Various world religions may peacefully co-exist there, with no obvious dominance of any
one. Structure of religions represented in the region is determined in many respects by external factors
5.2. Ability to propagate and diffuse own version of religion outside own socio-cultural formation for the purpose of other territories transformation
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
Possesses such ability. This is the unique quality and indication of SCS: it promotes own
version of religion in a process of assimilation of alien territories and population
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
Has no such ability
Socio-cultural buffer zone
Has no such ability
Mixed socio-cultural region
Has no such ability
5.3. One or several dominant languages
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
Within lingual diversity, one or few languages obviously dominate. There may also
exist substantial number of stable languages with limited circulation. Language isn't an absolute indicative distinction of the particular SCS from the rest of
the socio-cultural formations. SCS's dominant language may widen its circulation quite independently from the SCS itself
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
There is always one clearly dominating language that serves as a basis for singling
out this particular socio-cultural formation from the rest of the world. This is an absolute indicative distinction of SCD-s from the rest of the
socio-cultural formations
Socio-cultural buffer zone
Essence of this socio-cultural formation is such that considerable number of languages
always co-exist there, in a proportion that is characteristic for population of some particular buffer zone. There are no and cannot be whatever dominant
languages
Mixed socio-cultural region
Essence of this socio-cultural formation is such that considerable number of languages
always co-exist there, in a proportion that is characteristic for population of some particular mixed region. There are no and cannot be whatever dominant
languages
5.4. Ability to widen circulation of the own dominant language(-s) as a daily used
one(-s) outside own socio-cultural formation
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
Able to widen a circulation of own language outside own homeland, and first of all -
in the internal buffer zone and among the naturally dependent vassals. Such language begins being used there as a daily mean of communication that is an
important element of the process of socio-cultural assimilation of territories and population. This is the unique quality and indication of SCS
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
Has no such ability. Language is a unique attribute of the particular SCD's population and may only be diffused together with its bearers. Population of
other socio-cultural formations never use this language as a mean of daily communication
Socio-cultural buffer zone
Has no such ability. Diffusion of a language(-s) may only accompany migrations of a
buffer zone's population which, however, easily adopts language(-s) of either a more attractive or dominant SCS
Mixed socio-cultural region
Has no such ability. Diffusion of a language(-s) may only accompany migrations of a
mixed region's population which, however, easily adopts language(-s) of either a more attractive or dominant SCS
6. ECONOMICS AND PRODUCTIVE FORCES
6.1. Extent of reliability and self-sufficiency of the socio-cultural formation's
economy
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
Economy is reliable and self-sufficient. It possesses considerable internal reserves,
and contacts with other socio-cultural formations do not play determining role in its development, though these contacts are important for solving internal
socio-cultural problems such as the neighbouring territories' transformation and competition with alien SCS-s. This is the unique quality and indication of
SCS
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
Economy is extremely vulnerable and never self-sufficient; in case of isolation becomes
obviously poor and mediocre. Contacts with other socio-cultural formations are of most importance for economic prosperity and desired stability those,
however, are never really lasting
Socio-cultural buffer zone
Economy is extremely vulnerable and never self-sufficient. It depends mainly on
neighbouring SCS-s, and these may both arrange for a periodic destruction in a buffer zone and assist its short-term prosperity if it conforms to their
interests
Mixed socio-cultural region
Economy is extremely dependent on SCS-s pretending to control the mixed region. In
certain conditions of isolation, it may become self-sufficient (at the level of poverty and mediocrity)
6.2. Ability to generate stable and invent original economic standards and forms
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
Possesses the ability to generate and invent stable original economic standards and forms
which may have no analogues outside this particular SCS. This is the unique quality and indication of SCS
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
Able to generate and invent original economic standards and forms, however, quite
unstable and aimed only to withstand the competing SCS-s' pressure
Socio-cultural buffer zone
Has no such ability
Mixed socio-cultural region
Has no such ability
6.3. Ability to generate technological innovations for socio-cultural purposes
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
Possesses the ability to generate and invent technological innovations for solving own
socio-cultural problems, and first of all - internal tasks of creating the own homeland and naturally dependent vassals
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
Possesses the ability to generate technological innovations for solving own socio-cultural problems. However, invention of these innovations is always very
limited and vulnerable due to the nature of this particular socio-cultural formations. Internal market is too small and as such doesn't actually need such
innovations. Technological innovations are never associated with, or caused by, the socio-cultural tasks of space transformation
Socio-cultural buffer zone
Has no such ability
Mixed socio-cultural region
Has no such ability
6.4. Ability to conduct wide-scale economic actions of sabotage aimed against
socio-cultural competitors
Socio-cultural system (SCS)
Possesses the potential ability and practical possibilities to conduct wide-scale
economic sabotage actions directed against alien socio-cultural formations. Such actions may be brought about in a various specific forms
Socio-cultural domain (SCD)
Possesses the potential ability and practical possibilities to conduct economic sabotage
actions aimed against other socio-cultural formations. These actions may be brought about in a various specific forms. Characteristically, scales of such
activity are considerably smaller compare to those of SCS-s
Socio-cultural buffer zone
Has no such ability as well as possibilities
Mixed socio-cultural region
Has no such ability as well as possibilities
* * *
Below, once more, is the list of the unique qualities and indications of socio-cultural systems:
Ability to assimilate the new territories into own homeland, as a rule, in regard to territories bordering
with the old homeland and extended from its boundaries for any distance;
Ability to generate complicated internal structure of own space, mainly in order to protect and defend itself from other
SCS-s and as a response to respective demands from the outside. This ability expresses itself in creating internal buffer zones along the borders with other
SCS-s;
Complete cycle of the space socio-cultural assimilation. Researches reveal seven principal periods of
socio-cultural evolution, and every period may consist of a few particular phases - subperiods and stages;
Inner logic always prevail over outer factors that are only used in case of strict correspondence with the
SCS's evolution internal order. Even successful external spatial expansions are always used for own inner purposes;
Ability to create enclaves within alien regions to transform and assimilate them socio-culturally;
Ability to create naturally dependent vassals in a course of socio-cultural transformation of other
territories;
Ability to conduct successive socio-cultural assimilation of alien population, by including it into own
structure together with the new territories. This ability manifests itself during periods of creating own homeland and internal buffer zones;
Ability to generate migrations of population to socio-culturally transform alien territories into homelands,
naturally dependent vassals and enclaves within buffer zones. In all the SCS-s, such migrations most often happen as a result of creating "end of the
World" (mass starvation, civil wars, unstable state authorities) within traditional homelands;
Always possesses own world religion or its own unique version;
Ability to propagate and diffuse own version of religion outside own socio-cultural formation for the purpose of
other territories transformation. SCS promotes own version of religion in a process of alien territories and population assimilation;
Ability to widen circulation of own language outside own homeland, and first of all - in the internal buffer zone
and among the naturally dependent vassals. Such language begins being used as a daily mean of communications that is an important element of the process of
socio-cultural assimilation of territories and population;
SCS's economy is reliable and self-sufficient. It possesses considerable internal reserves, and contacts with
other socio-cultural formations do not play determining role in its development, though these contacts are important for solving internal socio-cultural
problems such as the neighbouring territories' transformation and competition with alien SCS-s;
Possesses the ability to generate and invent stable original economic standards and forms which may have no
analogues outside this particular SCS.
* * *
Here is the list of the socio-cultural formations existing by the end of the XX
century. They went through some evolution and are now at the different periods of their development. Morphology of the socio-cultural formations is described
in detail by their space-time models.
Socio-cultural systems: Barbarian-Nomadic SCS, Black African SCS, Chinese SCS, Hindu SCS,
Muslim SCS, Russian SCS, South-American SCS, Western SCS
Socio-cultural domains (examples): Armenian, Japanese, Judaic
Socio-cultural buffer zones
We're talking here only about external socio-cultural buffer zones located between
different SCS-s. External socio-cultural buffer zones are at present at the various stages of their evolution and differ drastically one from another. None
the less, they are clearly defined as the formations of a specific socio-cultural type.
Let's cut the vast list of external buffer zones down to just two examples so that do
not go deep into extensive explanations regarding complicated structures of these complex socio-cultural formations: 1) East-European buffer zone (Poland,
Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary); 2) North-European buffer zone (Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway)
Mixed socio-cultural regions (examples): Islands of Pacific and Indian Oceans,
South-East Asia
APPENDIX 3.
PERIODS OF THE SOCIO-CULTURAL SYSTEMS' EVOLUTION
BARBARIAN-NOMADIC SCS
1. Initial period of the Barbarian-Nomadic SCS existence, surrounded by neighbours not internally ready
to integrate with it socio-culturally (from ancient times until I century AD)
2. Establishing the buffer zone with Western SCS (I century - late IV century AD)
3. Socio-cultural integration of Barbarian-Nomadic and Western SCS-s. Rise of the renewed Western SCS (late IV
century - second half of the VII century AD)
4. Creating the buffer zones between Barbarian-Nomadic SCS and all of its neighbouring SCS-s (from second half of
the VII century until late XII century)
5. Socio-cultural integration of Barbarian-Nomadic SCS with all the neighbouring, accessible to it SCS-s.
Socio-cultural assimilation of the Barbarian-Nomadic SCS's territory and population into these SCS (late XII century - 1380-s)
6. Rise of the Barbarian-Nomadic SCS residual homeland and population. Conflict of various neighbouring SCS-s for
its socio-cultural assimilation, with the Barbarian-Nomadic SCS itself marionette participation in the process (late XIV century - mid XX century)
7. Establishing the Barbarian-Nomadic SCS's residual homeland and population on the borders of Russian and Chinese
SCS-s as their external buffer zone (from second half of the XX century and for some future)
MUSLIM SCS
1. Initial sporadic colonisation of the homeland territory in the most ancient civilisations and unknown centres of
inhabitancy (XXX - VII centuries BC)
2. Initial spatial defining the Muslim SCS's territory and its early acquisition in the form of Empires. Conflict with
Western SCS of its second period for buffer spaces (750-s - 330-s BC)
3. Socio-cultural contest in Muslim SCS. Creating the internal buffer zones on borders with Western SCS.
Assimilation of the other socio-cultural systems' population within the Muslim territories (from 330-s BC until early VII century AD)
4. Islam as the product of the socio-cultural contest; unification of the Muslim territories based on Islam.
Beginning of the Muslim controlled spaces growth, and establishing the buffer zones between Muslim SCS and all of its neighbouring SCS-s (Western,
Barbarian-Nomadic, Hindu and Black African) (early VII century - 1258)
5. Socio-cultural integration with Barbarian-Nomadic SCS. Further growth of the Muslim controlled spaces into the
territories of Black African and Hindu SCS-s. Creating the military-political vassals and buffer zones with all the neighbouring SCS-s (1258 - early XVIII
century)
6. Conflict for buffer spaces with various SCS-s. Loss of the military-political vassals, and the alien
socio-cultural systems' permanent presence in the Muslim homeland. Diffusion of the Muslim communities outside the Muslim homeland (early XVIII century -
1970-s)
7. Liberation of the Muslim homeland and its internal buffer zones from the alien socio-cultural systems' permanent
presence. Political-geographical transformation of the Muslim SCS's space based on its own socio-cultural standards. Conflict with other SCS-s for control over
the external buffer zones (from 1970-s and for some future)
CHINESE SCS
1. Initial period of the Chinese population existence and Chinese SCS creation (from legendary Hsia Dynasty 1800
- 1500 BC to Eastern Chou Dynasty 770 BC)
2. Socio-cultural contest for creating the most efficient socio-cultural standard for Chinese SCS (from 770 until 221
BC - Eastern Chou Dynasty)
3. Unification of the Chinese SCS's territory based on the chosen socio-cultural standard. Beginning of the
homeland growth and establishing the naturally dependent vassals (221 BC - 317 AD)
4. Creating the internal buffer zone on the North, new naturally dependent vassals on the West, and new homeland on the
South (317 - 1211 AD)
5. Socio-cultural integration with Barbarian-Nomadic SCS. Creating the internal buffer zones, naturally dependent
vassals and homeland growth on the South. Unification of the socio-culturally transformed territories into the united state (from 1211 until 1840-s)
6. Defining the buffer zones' territories through conflict with various SCS-s. Military, political and economic
presence of alien socio-cultural systems in the Chinese homeland. Beginning of the Chinese population intensive diffusion around the World (from 1840-s until
the Great Cultural Revolution)
7. Creating the integral internal buffer zone and liberation of the Chinese homeland from the alien
socio-cultural systems' presence. Establishing the Chinese enclave-communities within Western SCS and the mixed socio-cultural regions (as from the end of the
Great Cultural Revolution and for some future)
WESTERN SCS
1. Initial period of the Western population existence and Western SCS creation. Initial sporadic colonisation of
the homeland territory in the most ancient civilisations (from ancient times until 770 - 750-s BC)
2. Greek-Roman times. Western homeland growth. Rise of the first Empires and Greek-Roman communities outside the
homeland. Establishing the buffer zone with Barbarian-Nomadic SCS (from 770 - 750-s BC until 380-s AD)
3. Socio-cultural integration with Barbarian-Nomadic SCS. Transformation and further expansion of the homeland.
Creating internal buffer zones. Defining the new ideological grounds of Western SCS, based on Roman Catholicism (from 380-s AD until the Crusades beginning)
4. Socio-cultural contest in Western SCS. Transformation of the Pyrenees Muslim enclave into internal buffer zone.
Creating naturally dependent vassals in the East-European buffer zone. Expansion outside own homeland into the mixed socio-cultural regions (from the
Crusades beginning until the discovery of America)
5. Global overseas colonial expansion of Western national states. Growth of the homeland in the mixed socio-cultural
regions with Western predominance (1490-s - 1918)
6. Global war against other socio-cultural systems headed by Russian SCS. Losing the control over colonies.
Reversion of Western population into own homeland and its redistribution between the mixed socio-cultural regions with Western predominance and
traditional Western territories (1918 - 1990-s)
7. Transformation of the European homeland and stimulating further population redistribution between the
territories of old homeland and mixed socio-cultural regions with Western predominance. Creating the American and South-Eastern (Asian) internal and
external buffer zones (from 1990-s and for some future)
RUSSIAN SCS
1. Initial period of the Slavonic world existence, with undeveloped socio-cultural differences (from ancient times
until 882 AD)
2. Period of the socio-cultural differences defining in the Slavonic world. Early accumulation of the Russian SCS territory
and population, plus establishing the internal and external buffer zones (from 882 until mid - late XI century)
3. Socio-cultural contest for creating the most efficient socio-cultural standard for Russian SCS. Socio-cultural
integration with Barbarian-Nomadic SCS (from late XI century until 1572)
4. Creating the united Russian state, with utmost homeland, based on Moscow socio-cultural standard (from 1572 until
1700)
5. Imperial program of the Russian SCS: creating naturally dependent vassals and further homeland growth; expansion
into neighbouring SCS-s as resistance to Western SCS pressure onto these SCS-s (from 1700 until 1917)
6. Communist program of the Russian SCS: defining boundaries of own socio-cultural spaces (especially internal and
external buffer zones); leading the global war against Western SCS's expansion outside its homeland (1917 - 1991/93)
7. Nationalist program of the Russian SCS: re-structuring own socio-cultural spaces; maintaining balance of
socio-cultural powers in the World (from late XX century and for some future)
HINDU SCS
1. Initial period of the Indian population existence; rise of the ancient Hindu civilisations as a form of
sporadic colonisation of the territory. Rise of the Hindu SCS religious, cultural and social foundations (2500-s - 327 BC)
2. First contacts with Muslim SCS. Beginning of the homeland growth and establishing the North-Western buffer zone
(327 BC - 711 AD)
3. Muslim SCS's attacks withstanded. Creating the buffer zone on the joints with Muslim SCS (711 - early XIII
century)
4. Muslim SCS intervention and establishing the vassal military-political control over the Northern and
Central regions of the Hindu homeland. Further evolution of the Hindu homeland (early XIII century - 1658)
5. Military-political control of the Great Britain and co-operation with it to withstand the Muslim SCS's expansion.
Adaptation of Western innovations; Hindu population diffusion into other socio-cultural formations as a vassals of British colonists. Creating the
internal buffer zones; conflict with Muslim and Chinese SCS-s for control over the external buffer zones (1658 - 1945)
6. Transition to an indirect forms of co-operation with Western SCS in the struggle against Muslim and Chinese SCS-s.
Extreme point of the conflict with Muslim SCS for control over buffer zones. Further developing the internal buffer zones; efforts to transform the external
buffer zones into naturally dependent vassals (from 1945 and for some future)
7. Prognostic stage: Retention of the indirect forms of co-operation with Western SCS to withstand the Muslim and
Chinese SCS-s' expansion. Final stages of creating the internal and external buffer zones. Political-geographical transformation of the Hindu homeland based
on its own socio-cultural standards (more distant future)
SOUTH-AMERICAN SCS
1. Initial existence of the South-American population and sporadic colonisation of the territory in form of
the most ancient civilisations (from ancient times until late XV century)
2. Socio-cultural integration with Western and Black African SCS-s. Spatial colonisation / assimilation of the
territory and creating the renewed basis for South-American SCS (from 1490-s until the 1823 Monroe Doctrine)
3. Establishing the internal buffer zones and re-structuring own territory based on the national states principles.
Permanent military-political and economic presence of Western SCS (represented by the USA) (1823 - 1918)
4. Operative involvement of the USA into South-American SCS's rising. Introduction of economic, social and military
innovations. Further generating the internal buffer zones. Co-operation of South-American and Russian SCS-s in the struggle against permanent presence of
the USA (1918 - 1980-s)
5. Liberation of the South-American SCS homeland from military, economic and political presence of all the alien
socio-cultural systems. Creating the buffer zone with Western SCS (in the mixed socio-cultural region with Western predominance in North America). Operative
conversion of the submitted Western economic and social innovations (from 1980-s and for some future)
6. Prognostic stage: Socio-cultural contest in South-American SCS and its re-structuring according to the own
renewed socio-cultural standards (this period may last for a 100 years and more)
7. Prognostic stage: Further intensive development of the South-American SCS's territory based on its own
socio-cultural standards (quite distant future)
BLACK AFRICAN SCS
1. Initial period of the Black African population existence on the territory of its homeland, at the level of
clan-tribal organisation (from ancient times until IV century AD)
2. Beginning of the contacts with Muslim SCS, rise of the early States; creating the Northern and Eastern
internal buffer zones (IV century - 1490-s)
3. Beginning of the contacts with Western SCS, creating the Western and Southern internal buffer zones. Overseas
diffusion of the Black African population and establishing the enclave-communities within alien socio-cultural formations. Participation in
the evolution of South-American SCS, of its 2nd period (1490-s - 1880-s)
4. Spatial seizure of Black African SCS by Western SCS. Introduction of the superficial economic, social and military
innovations. Co-operation of Black African and Russian SCS-s in the struggle against Western SCS's control over the Black African homeland (1880-s - 1960)
5. Liberation of the Black African SCS homeland from military, economic and political presence of all the alien
socio-cultural systems. Operative conversion of the submitted economic and social innovations (from 1960 and for some future)
6. Prognostic stage: Socio-cultural contest in Black African SCS and its re-structuring in accordance with the own
renewed socio-cultural standards (this period may last for a 100 years and more)
7. Prognostic stage: Further intensive development of Black African SCS based on its own socio-cultural standards.
Establishing connections between the Black African homeland and its overseas enclave-communities (quite distant future)
APPENDIX 4. PERIODS AND SUBPERIODS
OF THE SOCIO-CULTURAL SYSTEMS' EVOLUTION
Barbarian-Nomadic SCS
Muslim SCS
Chinese SCS
Western SCS
Russian SCS
Hindu SCS
South-American SCS
Black African SCS
From ancient times until the Christian era beginning
1.1. - from XXX century until VII century BC
1.1. - from ancient times until 770 - 750-s BC
2.1. - from 750-s until 559 BC
1.1. - from 1800 - 1500-s until 770-s BC
2.1. - from 770 - 750-s until 500-s BC
2.2. - from 559 until 330 BC
2.1. - from 770-s until 403 BC
2.2. - from 500-s until 323 BC
1.1. - from ancient times until I century BC
3.1. - from 330 until 50 - 40-s BC
2.2. - from 403 until 221 BC
2.3. - from 323 until 113 BC
1.1. - from 2500-s until 320-s BC
2.1. - from I century BC until 175 AD
3.2. - from 50 - 40-s BC until 175 AD
3.1. - from 221 BC until 25 AD
2.4. - from 113 BC until 175 AD
2.1. - from 327 BC until 50 AD
1.1. - from ancient times until IV century AD
From the Christian era beginning until VI century
2.2. - from 175 until 375
3.1. - from 375 until early V century
3.3. - from 175 until 380
3.2. from 25 until 317
2.5. - from 175 until 380-s
2.2. - from 50 until 320
3.2. - from early V century until middle of the VI century
3.4. - from 380 until early VII century
4.1. - from 317 until 580-s
3.1. - from 380-s until middle of the VI century
2.3. - from 320 until 711
2.1. - from IV century until IX century
From VI century until X century
3.3. - from the middle of the VI century until second half of the VII century
4.1. - from the second half of the VII century until IX century
1.1. - from ancient times until 882
3.1. - from 711 until 999
4.2. - from IX century until late XII century
4.1. - from early VII century until 750
4.2. - from 580-s until early X century
3.2. - from the middle of the VI century until middle - end of the X century
2.1. - from 882 until 988
3.2. - from 999 until early XIII century
2.2. - from IX century until late XI century
X - XI - XII - XIII centuries
4.3. - from early X century until 960-s
2.2. - from 988 until 1097
5.1. - from 1180 until 1205
4.2. - from 750-s until late XI century
4.4. - from 960-s until 1211
3.1. - from 1097 until 1169
5.2. - from 1205 until 1270-s
4.3. - from late XI century until 1258
5.1. - from 1211 until 1280-s
4.1. - from the middle - end of the X century until 1291
3.2. - from 1169 until 1237
5.3. - from 1270-s until 1380-s
5.1. - from 1258 until 1360
5.2. - from 1280-s until 1368
4.2. - from 1291 until 1490-s
3.3. - from 1237 until 1380-s
4.1. - from early XIII century until 1340-s
2.3. - from late XI century until 1490-s
XIV - XV centuries
3.4. - from 1380-s until 1478
6.1. - from 1380 -s until 1570-s
5.2. - from 1360 until 1502
5.3. - from 1368 until 1644
5.1. - from 1490-s until 1660-s
3.5.1 - from 1478 until 1564
4.2. - from 1340-s until 1526
1.1. - from ancient times until 1490-s
3.1. - from 1490-s until 1820-s
XVI - XVII centuries
3.5.2. - from 1564 until 1572
4.1.1.- from 1572 until 1598
4.1.2. - from 1598 until 1640-s
4.2.1. - from 1640-s until late 1680-s
4.3. - from 1526 until 1658
2.1. - from 1490-s until 1650-s
6.2. - from 1570 -s until late 1650-s
5.3. - from 1502 until early XVIII century
5.4. - from 1644 until late 1760-s
5.2. - from 1660-s until 1760-s
4.2.2. - from late 1680-s until 1700
5.1. - from 1658 until 1763
2.2. - from 1650-s until 1780-s
XVIII century
5.1.1 - from 1700 until 1756
5.1.2. - from 1756 until 1772
6.1. - from early until late XVIII century
5.2.1. - from 1772 until 1795
6.3. - from 1660-s until 1800
6.2. - from late XVIII until 1880-s
5.5. - from late 1760-s until 1840
5.3. - from 1760-s until 1820-s
5.2.2. - from 1795 until 1815
5.2. - from 1763 until 1818
2.3. - from 1780-s until 1820-s
XIX century
5.4.1. - from 1820-s until late 1850-s
5.3. - from 1815 until late 1850-s
6.4. - from 1801 until 1896
5.4.2. - from late 1850-s until 1892
5.4.1. - from late 1850-s until 1892
5.3. - from 1818 until 1885
3.1. - from 1820-s until 1870-s
3.2 - from 1820-s until 1880-s
6.5. - from 1896 until 1953
6.3. - from 1880-s until late 1940-s
6.1. - from 1840 until 1911
5.5. - from 1892 until 1918
5.4.2. - from 1892 until 1917
5.4. - from 1885 until 1945
3.2. - from 1870-s until 1918
4.1. - from 1880-s until 1940-s
XX century
6.1.1. - from 1917 until 1924
6.1. - from 1918 until 1939
6.1.2. - from 1924 until 1939
6.2.1. - from 1939 until May 1945
6.2.1. - from 1939 until May 1945
6.2. - from 1911 until 1949
6.2.2. - from May 1945 until late 1980-s
6.2.2. - from May 1945 until late 1980-s
4.1. - from 1918 until 1945
4.2. - from 1940-s until 1960
6.4. - from late 1940-s until late 1970-s
6.3. - from 1949 until second half of the 1960-s
6.2.3. - from late 1980-s until late 1990-s
6.2.3. - from late 1980-s until late 1990-s
6.1. - from 1945 until 1974
4.2. - from 1945 until 1980-s
5.1. - from 1960 until late 1980-s
7.1. - from 1953 and for some future
7.1. - from late 1970-s and for some future
7.1. - from the second half of the 1960-s and for some future
7.1. - from late 1990-s and for some future
7.1. - from late 1990-s and for some future
6.2. - from 1974 and for some future
5.1. - from 1980-s and for some future
5.2. - from late 1980-s and for sone future
XXI century
Subperiod 7.1. continues
Subperiod 7.1. continues
Subperiod 7.1. continues
Subperiod 7.1. continues
Subperiod 7.1. continues
Subperiod 6.2. continues
Subperiod 5.1. continues
Subperiod 5.2. continues
total number of subperiods in the SCS-s evolution
17
18
18
18
17
15
9
10
GENERAL TABLE OF PERIODS AND SUBPERIODS
IN THE SOCIO-CULTURAL SYSTEMS’ EVOLUTION
PERIODS AND SUBPERIODS
Barbarian-Nomadic SCS
Muslim SCS
Chinese
SCS
Western SCS
Russian
SCS
Hindu
SCS
South-American SCS
Black
African SCS
Average
number of subperiods within a period
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
5
2
3
3
3
2.75
3
3
4
2
2
5
2
2
2
2.75
4
2
3
4
2
2
3
2
2
2.5
5
3
3
5
5
4
4
unknown for the time being
unknown for the time being
4
6
5
4
3
2
2
unknown for the time being
prognosis
prognosis
3.2
7
unknown for the time being
unknown for the time being
unknown for the time being
unknown for the time being
unknown for the time being
Prognosis
prognosis
prognosis
unknown for the time being
Number of completed subperiods in the SCS’ evolution
17
18
18
18
17
15
9
10
Total
122
Number of completed subperiods by the time when 7.1. begins
17
18
18
18
17
Prognosis
17 - 18
Prognosis
17 - 18
Prognosis
17 - 18
Prognosis
139 - 142
APPENDIX 5. GENERAL MODEL OF THE PROCESS OF SPACE ASSIMILATION
WITHIN SCS
THE LEGEND
Examined socio-cultural system
Other (six) socio-cultural systems that are not analyzed in detail in this model, but follow the similar path
in a process of creating their own spaces (only Barbarian-Nomadic SCS represents an exception)
Stable enclaves within boundary areas (on the joints of SCS with external buffer zone)
Demarcating socio-cultural formations of an enclave type
within internal buffer zone
SCS's homeland
SCS's internal buffer zone
SCS's boundary areas during its expansion
Directions of the socio-cultural colonization / assimilation and space control expansion