Russian scientific discourse in focus of a civilizational approach: an experience of quantitative content analysis (based on eLibrary)

Aim. To systematize and quantify the transformation of the civilizational approach in Russian scholarly discourse from 1991 to 2026 based on an analysis of 317 publications from the eLibrary database. The study aims to identify the dynamics of publication activity, the disciplinary expansion of the approach, the evolution of its conceptual content, and the polarization of the scientific community on the methodological status of the civilizational approach – from an academic tool to an element of public policy.

Methodology. The study utilizes a comprehensive quantitative content analysis methodology: bibliometric analysis (quantitative assessment of publication dynamics by year (1991–2026) with the identification of periods of activity), categorical analysis (coding of publications according to specific parameters), author analysis (identification of key researchers and scientific schools based on frequency of mentions and citations), chronological analysis (periodization of the evolution of discourse with the identification of stages), and critical analysis (selection of publications with methodological criticism of the approach).

Results. A steady increase in interest in the civilizational approach has been identified: from 5–7 publications in 1991–1995 to 90–95 works in 2021–2025. Key growth points occurred in 2009–2010 (discussions about its methodological status) and 2022–2024 (integration into the discipline “Fundamentals of Russian Statehood”), and problems in using the civilizational approach methodology have been identified.

Research implication. The study systematized the evolution of civilizational discourse in Russia for the first time since 1991. Key stages in the approach's development were identified, key authors were identified, and its dissemination across various academic disciplines – from history and philosophy to law, pedagogy, and even economics – was traced. This systematization allows us to overcome the fragmentation of existing historiographic works and provide a comprehensive picture of the development of scientific thought. The data obtained can be useful in developing new educational programs, assessing the quality of humanities research, and formulating sound scientific policy.

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2. Petunin, O. V. (2008). On the need to form the independence of schoolchildren from the point of view of a civilizational approach. In: Humanities and socio-economic sciences, 3, 157–160 (in Russ.).

3. Petunin, O. V. (2007). On the use of a civilizational approach in pedagogical research. In: Innovations in education, 9, 68–79 (in Russ.).

4. Petunin, O. V. (2008). The problem of activating the cognitive independence of students from the standpoint of a civilizational approach. In: Higher education today, 9, 68–70 (in Russ.).

5. Petunin, O. V. (2008). Civilizational approach in the study of pedagogical processes. In: Philosophy of education, 2, 29–37 (in Russ.).

6. Kravchenko, S. A. (2003). Civilizational approach in the typology of state and law. In: Russian Law Journal, 2, 3–8 (in Russ.).

7. Supataev, M. A. (2009). On the problems of a civilizational approach to Russian law. In: North Caucasian Legal Bulletin, 4, 7–13 (in Russ.).

8. Supataev, M. A. (2012). On the problems of a civilizational approach to law (essays on general theory and practice). Moscow: Yurlitinform Publ. (in Russ.).

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11. Kupryashkin, I. V. (2009). Methodological dead end of the civilizational approach. In: Philosophy of social communications, 3, 111–116 (in Russ.).

12. Kurenkova, E. A. (2026). Civilizational approach in the course "Fundamentals of Russian statehood": methodology and formation of identity. In: Historical Bulletin, 9 (2), 187–195 (in Russ.).

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19. Nureyev, R. M. (2010). Civilization approach: reserves of institutional analysis. In: Scientific works of Donetsk National Technical University. Series: Economic, 1, 5–18 (in Russ.).

20. Kandybovich, S. L. & Razina, T. V. (2023). Civilizational approach in psychological science. In: Modern directions of research in psychology: challenges of the third decade of the 21st century. Tver, pp. 210–214 (in Russ.).

21. Vinokurova, U. A., Alekseev, V. N. & Alekseeva, G. G. (2024). Civilizational approach in sportology. In: Theory and practice of physical culture, 6, 112–114 (in Russ.).

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33. Lityagina, Y. I. (2025). Historical grounds for the Russian special military operation in Ukraine: a civilizational approach. In: Issues of state and law. Krasnodar, pp. 147–151 (in Russ.).

34. Ogloblina, N. M. & Ashimov, N. (2023). Russia as a state-civilization and civilizational approach as a methodology of spiritual and moral education and education of youth. In: Far Eastern Pedagogical Congress dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Komsomolsk-on-Amur: Amur Humanitarian Pedagogical State University, pp. 67–75 (in Russ.).

35. Gereikhanov, G. P. (2025). Civilizational approach in the system of ensuring national security. In: Scientific works of scientists of the 1st department - departments of general problems of war, peace and the army of the Academy of Military Sciences. Moscow, pp. 155–167 (in Russ.).

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