Browsing by Author "Savchenko, Serhiy V."

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Blasphemers of the Tsar and God: The "Offensive Cases" of Early 20th-Century Yekaterinoslav
(ENIGMA CORPORATION, Praha, 2025) Savchenko, Serhiy V.; Vysotskyi, Oleksandr
ENG: This study aims to reconstruct the “voice of the people” in early 20th-century Yekaterinoslav Province by analyzing cases of verbal offenses against the imperial family, religious institutions, as well as state authorities. Using archival police reports and legal documents, the research examines of how these offenses functioned as both spontaneous outbursts and structured forms of social protest, revealing broader societal tensions. The objective of the present study is to explore the role of blasphemy and political insults in expressing dissatisfaction with tsar Nicholas II’s perceived weakness, misfortune, and failure to meet traditional expectations of rulership. By placing these offenses in the context of popular culture, anti-monarchism, and delegitimization of power, this study challenges traditional revolutionary interpretations that frame them solely as symptoms of class struggle. Instead, it argues that many participants did not reject monarchy as an institution but rather criticized the reigning sovereign’s perceived incompetence. The increase in documented offenses was not only a reflection of growing unrest but also a consequence of expanding police surveillance and bureaucratic mechanisms that politicized expressions of frustration. The findings provide new perspectives on popular geopolitics, showing that admiration for foreign powers, particularly Japan, sometimes accompanied anti-monarchical rhetoric. Additionally, this research enhances the understanding of how informal communication networks helped spread oppositional sentiment, further undermining the legitimacy of autocratic rule. By examining these overlooked sources, the study reinterprets the intersections of popular culture, local history, and political resistance in the late Russian Empire.
Information Freedom as a Condition for Social Progress
(KZVO «DANO» DOR», Dnipro; University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2024) Savchenko, Serhiy V.; Podoliak, Yelyzaveta I.
ENG: The importance of information freedom is not only relevant to personal freedom, but also to broader social, economic, and technological aspects. Information has the ability to continuously accumulate and synthesize with other information, creating unpredictability and fostering scientific discoveries and technological advancements. The quality of new information depends on the number of information sources involved in its production, allowing for a wider field of associations and idea synthesis. Information needs to be in an ongoing flow within social, political, cultural, and economic contexts to remain relevant and effective. Any censorship or restrictions on information exchange and production will lead to isolation, economic and technological backwardness, and a decline in the quality of political decisions and overall societal well-being.
Philosophical and Anthropological Theory of Violence by René Girard
(Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies, Dnipro, Ukraine, 2024) Savchenko, Serhiy V.; Prokofieva, Kateryna A.
ENG: Purpose. The article aims to examine the key aspects of the theory of mimetic violence by the famous French thinker René Girard. Theoretical basis. The study is based on René Girard’s fundamental theory of violence, which includes the concepts of mimesis and sacrificial cycle. Girard argues that violence arises from mimetic rivalry, when people imitate each other’s desires and actions, leading to conflicts and crises. The theory suggests that societies historically resolved these crises and prevented chaos through scapegoating rituals. Christianity, however, stands apart in Girard’s view by rejecting sacrificial cults and instead offering Christ’s non-violent example as a path to conflict resolution. Originality. Girard’s concept of mimetic desire explains how people’s tendency to imitate others’ desires leads to rivalry and conflict. These tensions are typically resolved through scapegoating – directing collective aggression toward a common target. The term "scapegoat" itself stems from the Biblical ritual described in Leviticus, where a goat symbolically carried away the community’s sins. The mechanism remains universal, operating in both archaic and modern societies. The authors examine how this dynamic relates to modern totalitarianism and its exploitation of collective violence. They emphasize Girard’s analysis of Christianity’s unique role in countering violence, specifically through its radical proposition that it is better to be victimized than to victimize others. Conclusions. These examples demonstrate how victim sacralization rituals maintain social order, supporting Girard’s assertion that ancient and modern myths share fundamental similarities. Girard’s theory transcends religious and mythological contexts, offering a lens through which to examine diverse anthropological and social phenomena. His ideas offer a profound understanding of the mechanisms of collective violence and their consequences, including the connection between mimetic violence and possible apocalyptic scenarios.