This article analyzes the essential concepts which may explain the singularity of the Corsican society (insularity, “Mediterranity”, “Corsity”, rurality and social archaism). The “misfortunes” experienced by Corsica are compared to those of the contemporary Russian Federation. The comparison is all the more relevant given the lack of freedom and personal responsibility in both paternalistic societies, where local loyalty is more important than public citizenship, and political alliances are often created regardless of the classic left-/right-wing split, proper to democratic societies.