"Globalization and Us II"

The article "Globalization and Us II," prepared by Karen Aghekyan, Rachya Arzumanyan, and Arsen Melikyan, continues the collective conversation on the nature and driving forces of contemporary globalization begun in the previous issue of the journal "Aniv." In the second part of the discussion, the main participants are joined by political commentator Levon Mikaelyan, coordinator of the Center for Caucasian Studies at MGIMO Vladimir Zakharov, and Italian specialist in Eastern Christianity Giovanni Guaita.

Introduction and Methodology
The starting point of the discussion is the theme of the connection between globalization processes and conspiratorial concepts. The editors publish, as the first contribution, V. Zakharov's article "Globalism and Christianity," which sets forth a religious-eschatological interpretation of globalization.

Key Thesis: The Eschatological Interpretation
Zakharov develops the thesis that the process of globalization represents a hidden preparation for the coming of the Antichrist (Moshiach), disguised under the term "New World Order." The argumentation rests on several points:

• the destruction of traditional spiritual values in all states of the world is planned in character;
• worldwide computerization, chipping, and satellite control are technical instruments for building a global system of control;
• identification numbers and other symbolic practices are interpreted in a Kabbalistic sense as means of subjugating human will;
• a United Europe is regarded as an experimental ground for the "leveling of man";
• the principal ideologists of the World Government are named as Brzezinski, Peccei, Sänger, and Kissinger.

A separate place is occupied by the contrast between Russia as a "living organism," not amenable to precise prediction, and most European states as "dead organisms," governed according to pre-calculated scenarios.

Critical Responses
L. Mikaelyan agrees that such constructions are widespread among Orthodox publicists (Yu. Vorobyevsky, O. Platonov), yet points to a contradiction between Russia's declared anti-globalist mission and its actual reliance on the "unifying power of the gas pipeline." It is also noted that a similar lack of unity on the question of identification numbers has been observed among representatives of the Armenian Apostolic Church, which is linked to the penetration of ecumenical tendencies into the church sphere.

An Alternative Approach
K. Aghekyan once again turns to A.A. Ignatov's article (2000), in which globalization is interpreted through the concept of a World Government usurped by a "Hasidic-para-Masonic group." The author formulates alternative scenarios for Russia's development amid globalization processes, the first of which envisions the country's disappearance as a state and cultural community should it attempt to remain outside these processes.

Conclusion
The article demonstrates a wide range of interpretations of globalization — from the eschatological-conspiratorial to the critical-analytical — united by a shared attention to the role of supranational governing structures and the question of the place of Russia and the post-Soviet space in the emerging world order.