Russian Analytical Digest, 6.02.07: NATIONALISM

[Alexandra Smith]

Russian Analytical Digest
(No. 14, 6 February 2007)

A bi-weekly internet publication jointly produced by the Research
Centre for East European Studies at the University of Bremen and the
Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich. It is supported by the
Otto Wolff Foundation and the German Association for East European
Studies (DGO). The Digest draws on contributions to the German-
language Russlandanalysen (http://www.russlandanalysen.de  
<http://www.russlandanalysen.de/> ), the CSS
analytical network on Russia and Eurasia (http://www.res.ethz.ch  
<http://www.res.ethz.ch/> ), and
the Russian Regional Report.

To download the whole issue for free or subscribe to the Russian
Analytical Digest newsletter, please visit our web page at
http://www.res.ethz.ch/analysis/rad


TABLE OF CONTENTS

NATIONALISM

      Analysis: Alexander Dugin, the Issue of Post-Soviet Fascism, and
      Russian Political Discourse Today
      Analysis: Imperial Nationalism in Russia
      Opinion Survey: "Russia for the Russians?..."
      Regional Report: Russian Nationalism Expands in the Regions


SUMMARIES

Alexander Dugin, the Issue of Post-Soviet Fascism, and Russian
Political Discourse Today
By Andreas Umland, Kiev, Ukraine

The past year witnessed a welcome sensitization of the Russian public
towards skinhead attacks and ultra-nationalist propaganda.
Nevertheless, the administration of Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin-
controlled mass media have maintained an ambiguous stance with regard
to xenophobic tendencies in politics and public discourse. While
primitive hatred of foreigners and ethnic violence are officially
stigmatized, the dissemination of national stereotypes and anti-
Americanism, in particular, by Kremlin-directed mass media and
political pundits continues unabated. For example, the notorious
publicist Alexander Dugin, who openly propagated fascist ideas in the
1990s, has become an important player in shaping the discourse of
Russian political and intellectual elites today. It remains to be seen
how the Russian leadership will handle the challenges resulting from
such a contradictory approach to its domestic and foreign policies in
the coming years.

Full text: http://www.res.ethz.ch/analysis/rad


Imperial Nationalism in Russia
By Emil Pain, Moscow

Russian nationalist ideas and organizations are rapidly spreading
through Russia now. Contemporary Russian nationalists stress the idea
of rebuilding the Russian empire. However, their focus on the idea of
"Russia for the Russians" is incompatible with efforts to bring other
ethnic groups together in one political entity. The authorities support
Russian nationalist ideas, in the mistaken idea that they will be able
to manage nationalist forces. In fact, the rise of Russian nationalism
is likely to encourage separatism among other ethnic groups.

Full text: http://www.res.ethz.ch/analysis/rad


Russian Nationalism Expands in the Regions
By Yuri Shabaev, Syktyvkar

The fall of 2006 marked an increase in the activity of Russian  
nationalist groups in Russia at the national and regional levels. Th e  
most visible manifestation of this phenomenon was the "Russian March"  
held on the November 4 Day of National Unity in Moscow and many  
regional capitals like Komi's Syktyvkar.

Full text: http://www.res.ethz.ch/analysis/rad

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