A final Reflection on Global Harmony The Triad of

                Why Russia and Germany Cannot Form a Unified Federal State:
                A Revisited Reflection
                Author: Vladmir Angelblazer, Jurist and Philosopher
                Victoria, British Columbia, CANADA
                March 21, 2025


       The idea of a unified federal state between Russia and Germany is one of those grand historical hypotheses that stirs the imagination of philosophers, jurists, and dreamers alike. It is a vision that seems to hover at the intersection of possibility and impossibility, tantalizingly close yet perpetually out of reach. To explore this idea anew, with the benefit of historical and legal insights, is to embark on a journey through the shared and divergent paths of two nations that have shaped the destiny of Europe—and the world.

              The Legal Symbiosis: A Shared Heritage

       To understand the potential for unity between Russia and Germany, one must first acknowledge the profound legal and intellectual ties that have bound these nations for centuries. As rightly pointed out, the influence of German legal thought on Russia cannot be overstated. From the reforms of Peter the Great to the codifications of the 19th century, Russia’s legal system was profoundly shaped by the German tradition.

       The German Enlightenment, with its emphasis on rationality, order, and the rule of law, found fertile ground in Russia, particularly among the educated elite. The establishment of Russian universities under the guidance of German academics, the adoption of Roman law principles, and the meticulous structuring of state institutions all bear the unmistakable imprint of German legal thought. Figures like Mikhail Speransky, the architect of Russian administrative reform, drew heavily on German models, seeking to modernize the Russian Empire along the lines of the German states.

       Even in the Soviet era, the echoes of German legal and political thought persisted. The Stalinist constitution of 1936, with its formal guarantees of rights and its centralized state structure, bore a curious resemblance to the social-democratic models that had emerged in Germany. The Soviet Union, for all its revolutionary rhetoric, inherited much from the bureaucratic traditions of the German Empire and the intellectual legacy of German socialism.

              The Philosophical Foundations: Unity in Diversity?

       Yet, legal and institutional similarities alone do not suffice to create a unified state. The philosophical foundations of statehood—what Hegel might call the Volksgeist — must also align. Here, the picture becomes more complex.

       Germany and Russia, despite their shared legal heritage, have evolved along fundamentally different philosophical and cultural trajectories. Germany, the land of Kant and Hegel, has long been associated with a tradition of rationalism, individualism, and a deep respect for the rule of law. Russia, by contrast, has been shaped by its Orthodox spirituality, its collectivist ethos, and its historical role as the "Third Rome," a bastion of Eastern Christianity and a counterweight to the West.

       These differences are not merely academic; they are deeply embedded in the national consciousness of both peoples. The German Rechtsstaat (state based on law) and the Russian gosudarstvennost (statehood) reflect divergent understandings of the relationship between the individual and the state, between law and morality, and between tradition and modernity.

              The Historical Obstacles: A Legacy of Conflict

       History, too, has erected formidable barriers to any potential union. The 19th and 20th centuries were marked by a series of conflicts and rivalries that pitted Russia and Germany against each other. From the Napoleonic Wars to the two World Wars, these nations found themselves on opposite sides of some of the most devastating conflicts in human history.

       The scars of these wars run deep. The Battle of Stalingrad, the Siege of Leningrad, and the horrors of the Eastern Front are not merely historical events; they are living memories that continue to shape the collective psyche of both nations. The Cold War, with its division of Europe into East and West, only reinforced these divisions, turning Germany into a frontline state in the ideological struggle between the Soviet Union and the West.

              The Geopolitical Realities: A Clash of Interests

       Even if one were to set aside historical animosities, the geopolitical realities of the present day make a unified federal state between Russia and Germany all but impossible. Germany, as a leading member of the European Union and NATO, is firmly anchored in the Western liberal order. Russia, by contrast, has positioned itself as a counterweight to this order, asserting its independence and its right to pursue its own path.

       The expansion of NATO and the EU into Eastern Europe has only heightened these tensions, creating a new dividing line between Russia and the West. For Russia, the idea of a unified state with Germany would likely be seen as a threat to its sovereignty and its strategic interests. For Germany, such a union would risk alienating its Western allies and undermining the very foundations of the European project.

              The Cultural Divide: A Question of Identity

       Finally, there is the question of identity. Nations are not merely political or legal constructs; they are living entities, shaped by language, culture, and tradition. The German language, with its precision and complexity, reflects a worldview that is fundamentally different from the Russian, with its rich literary tradition and its deep spiritual undertones.

       Religion, too, plays a crucial role. The Protestant and Catholic traditions of Germany, with their emphasis on individual conscience and communal responsibility, stand in stark contrast to the Orthodox Christianity of Russia, with its focus on mysticism and collective salvation. These differences are not merely superficial; they are deeply rooted in the historical experiences of both nations.

              The Beauty of Diversity

       In the end, the impossibility of a unified federal state between Russia and Germany is not a failure but a testament to the richness and diversity of human experience. The legal and intellectual ties that bind these nations are a reminder of the shared heritage that underpins European civilization. Yet, the historical, geopolitical, and cultural barriers that separate them are a reminder of the unique paths that each nation must tread.

       Perhaps, then, the true lesson lies not in the pursuit of unity but in the celebration of diversity. Russia and Germany, each with its own distinct identity and destiny, have much to learn from each other — not as partners in a unified state but as neighbors in a shared continent. In this sense, the dream of a unified federal state may be less important than the reality of mutual respect and cooperation. For it is in the interplay of differences, rather than the imposition of uniformity, that the true spirit of Europe resides.

       And so, we return to the wisdom of Kant, who envisioned a world of perpetual peace not through the creation of superstates but through the cultivation of understanding and goodwill among nations. Russia and Germany, each with its own unique contribution to the human story, are destined to walk separate paths—not out of animosity, but out of a recognition of their distinct identities and destinies. And in this separation, there is a deeper unity: the unity of a shared humanity, bound together by the threads of history, law, and philosophy.

              A final Reflection on Global Harmony: The Triad of Great Powers

       Thus, it becomes evident that the philosophical and intellectual endeavors of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries have not — and likely will not—lead to anything resembling a union between Russia and Germany. Germany, as the historical center of Europe in every sense, has exerted a profound influence on Russia through the institutions of monarchy, the political and revolutionary ideas of Marx and Engels, and its legal and cultural frameworks. Yet, despite this deep interconnection, the paths of these two nations have diverged, shaped by their unique historical trajectories and geopolitical realities.

       Paradoxically, for modern Russia, a more natural ally in the global order is not Germany or even Europe, but the America of Donald Trump—a vision of a "Greater America" that includes Canada and Greenland. This concept is rooted in the idea of natural boundaries, where the vast expanses of Greater America and Greater Russia do not require artificial buffer states to mediate their relations. Canada, for instance, should not serve as a European buffer for Great Britain, not least because it is inherently and naturally aligned with the United States as a dependent and strategic partner.

       The union of a Christian Greater America (comprising the United States and Canada) appears more plausible than an alliance between Russia and China, despite the latter's growing significance. While Russia and China share a relationship that is increasingly stable and balanced, serving as a counterweight to the dominance of Greater America, their partnership is fundamentally pragmatic rather than ideological or cultural. The true harmony of the global order, however, can only be achieved through the interplay of three great powers, bound by the principle of the "law of three forces": Greater America, Greater Eurasian Russia, and Greater China.

       This triad represents a balance of power that transcends the artificial divisions of the past. Greater America, with its technological and economic might, stands as a beacon of Western pragmatism and Christian heritage. Greater Eurasian Russia, with its vast resources and strategic depth, embodies the bridge between East and West, a guardian of Orthodox tradition and a counterbalance to both Western and Eastern excesses. Greater China, with its ancient civilization and rising global influence, represents the ascendant power of the East, a force of stability and continuity in an ever - changing world.

       Only through the equilibrium of these three forces can global harmony be achieved. Each power, with its distinct identity and role, contributes to a world order that is neither unipolar nor bipolar, but truly multipolar. In this vision, the law of three forces ensures that no single power dominates, no single ideology prevails, and no single culture imposes its will. Instead, the interplay of Greater America, Greater Eurasian Russia, and Greater China creates a dynamic balance, where cooperation and competition coexist, and where the diversity of human experience is celebrated rather than suppressed.

       In this sense, the dream of a unified federal state between Russia and Germany fades into insignificance, replaced by a broader and more profound vision of global harmony. The future lies not in the artificial merging of nations, but in the recognition of their unique contributions to the human story. It is through the balance of three great powers — each with its own destiny, each with its own role—that the world can achieve the peace and stability it so desperately seeks.

       And so, we return to the wisdom of the ancients, who understood that harmony is not the absence of difference, but the balance of forces. In the interplay of Greater America, Greater Eurasian Russia, and Greater China, we find not a utopia, but a realistic and sustainable vision for the future—a world where diversity is strength, where balance is power, and where the law of three forces guides humanity toward a brighter tomorrow.


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