Sanal Molotkov, The Development of Nation States

Abstract

Sanal says that the Mongolist Boris Vladimirtsov wrote extensively on the social structure of the Mongols and Turks. According to Vladimirtsov, the Mongolian nomadic society developed according to its inner laws. Although many nomadic peoples did not go through feudalism, both the Mongols and Turks went through this stage. Sanal says that people in Kalmykia often complain that they have lost their culture, forgotten their tribal affiliations, etc. But according to him, this is inevitable if one looks at the larger picture of how primitive/tribal societies develop into nations. Primitive or tribal societies can be characterized by an equal division of plunder or property among their members. For example, when the Mongols conquered other countries, in the behavior of their warriors one can discern the remnants of their primitive societal structure. After taking a town, the Mongol warriors were given three days to plunder. Those who continued plundering after three days, were punished by death.