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Russia haven't been dominated by Mongols for centuries!!! Mongols had their 15 minuted of fame in XIII or XIV century, they move like a wild fire through most of the Europe, but they didn't manage to create their own stable kingdom here. I know nothing about they controlling Russia. If it happened, it had to be very short-lasting episode. Culture of Russia which has distinctly Eastern flavor was shaped by Byzantium. At the beginning of Russian state, the ruling dynasty [the descenders of Scandinavian conquerers] decided to convert their country to Christianity [for political reasons, I assume] and to accept the Christian faith from Byzantium. The Russian religious art still resembles the art of the late Eastern Roman Empire.

Your description of Russian people doesn't match what I've seen. People in Latin America also prefer to have a strong leader and according to opinion polls don't Care much about democracy. However nobody have described them as collectivists or clan people. The same is with Russia. Believe me Russians are very individualistic people with high disregard for people in power. They simply view their government as the fifth element, they can't control. It has nothing to do with collectivism, it's a kind of fatalistic approach. Russians by large simply refuse to participate in political life, however during private events after emptying a few bottles they voice a lot complains.

The Mongols controlled Russia for three hundred years. I realize that control ended five hundred years ago, but there was an influence (NON-European). You are right about Byzantium's influence, since many Varengians (Russians) fought as mercenaries for the Byzantine Empire. Of course Orthodox Christianity was transmitted to Russia through Byzantium.
My experience with Russians was more focused on their politics. I did not mean to disparage the Russian People. I happen to think Russian Music and Literature is the finest in the World.
What I see in terms of politics is either an apolitical attitude (I presume a conditioned response to living under an authorization government that punished any one that disagreed with the official line) or a tendency to accept there fate (politically). In America, UK and other Western Countries, people have had either decades or centuries of individual freedom of expression and participation in government. The fatalistic or apolitical approach is vastly smaller in the West.

Russians may be more individualistic in nonpolitical matters, but I expect it will take some time for the current situation to change.

I will say that Russia does not compare with the fatalism of third world countries or the Muslim World. The old saying in the Muslim World "It is written," describes that more extreme fatalism for a persons entire life.