The Return of the Russian Leviathan (New Russian Thought)

1. Russia's struggle with sovereignty and identity in the post-Soviet era

Russia is turning into a moth-eaten blanket – one with ever more holes and ever less fabric.

Loss of effective control. The collapse of the Soviet Union left Russia grappling with its new boundaries and identity. While maintaining formal power within its borders, the country has struggled to exercise effective control over its vast territory. This is evident in the deterioration of infrastructure, particularly in remote areas, where roads and public services have fallen into disrepair.

Symbolic sovereignty. To compensate for this loss of control, the Russian state has increasingly focused on symbolic displays of sovereignty. These include:

• Military parades showcasing intercontinental ballistic missiles
• Aggressive foreign policy actions, such as the annexation of Crimea
• Emphasis on traditional values and Orthodox Christianity as markers of Russian identity

However, these displays often mask the underlying weaknesses in governance and economic development, creating a disconnect between the image of a strong state and the reality of a struggling nation.

2. The weaponization of history and memory in modern Russia

The paradox and the cynicism of the situation is that modern Russian biopolitics bears no relation to biology (since it is based on wholly false assertions, such as that homosexuality is not 'normal'), nor does it improve the health of the nation, as it is accompanied by a radical cutting back of state financing of the health system and the destruction once and for all of free Soviet healthcare.

Selective interpretation of history. The Russian state has actively shaped historical narratives to support its current political agenda. This involves:

• Glorifying certain aspects of Soviet history, particularly the victory in World War II
• Downplaying or reinterpreting traumatic events, such as the Stalinist purges
• Creating a narrative of continuous Russian greatness and victimhood

Impact on society. This manipulation of history has profound effects on Russian society:

• It reinforces a sense of national pride and exceptionalism
• It justifies current policies by drawing parallels with past "glories"
• It creates a climate where critical examination of history is discouraged or even criminalized

The result is a society that struggles to confront its past honestly, hampering efforts to address ongoing issues and move forward.

3. Putin's regime: A return to authoritarianism and imperial ambitions

The Putin era is not even the repressions or the corruption or the Orthodox renaissance; it is in the imitation of all the institutions, history, memory, power itself.

Consolidation of power. Putin's leadership has been characterized by a steady erosion of democratic institutions and a concentration of power in the executive branch. Key aspects include:

• Weakening of independent media
• Marginalization of opposition figures
• Centralization of economic power among a small elite

Revival of imperial rhetoric. Putin's regime has increasingly drawn on imperial nostalgia to bolster its legitimacy:

• Emphasis on Russia's great power status
• Interventions in neighboring countries (e.g., Ukraine, Georgia)
• Promotion of the concept of a "Russian World" extending beyond current borders

This combination of authoritarianism and imperial ambition has reshaped Russia's domestic and foreign policy, often putting it at odds with the international community.

4. The impact of geopolitical events on Russian society and politics

The toxicity of Russian influence is so great that the tiniest presence needs to be cleaned up. Any hint of even the most innocent contacts with Russians leads to scandal, and the 'Russian infection' could ultimately destroy Donald Trump, already weakened and embittered as he is.

External conflicts and internal cohesion. Major geopolitical events, particularly conflicts with the West, have had a significant impact on Russian society:

• The annexation of Crimea led to a surge in patriotic sentiment
• Sanctions imposed by Western countries have reinforced the narrative of Russia under siege
• Involvement in Syria has bolstered the image of Russia as a global power

Domestic consequences. These external actions have had notable effects on internal politics:

• Increased support for Putin's leadership
• Justification for tighter control over civil society and media
• Economic challenges due to sanctions and isolation

The interplay between geopolitical events and domestic politics has become a key feature of Putin's governance strategy, often prioritizing international posturing over domestic development.

5. Russian resentment and the myth of humiliation by the West

Russia is a country which displays classic resentment. On the one hand, century after century it has witnessed various forms of class slavery, from serfdom to the Soviet propiska (permission to live in a particular city).

Historical roots. Russian resentment towards the West has deep historical roots:

• Centuries of autocratic rule and social stratification
• Persistent feeling of lagging behind Western technological and social progress
• Perception of being treated as a second-rate power despite its size and potential

Contemporary manifestations. This resentment continues to shape modern Russian politics and society:

• Narrative of Western attempts to weaken or humiliate Russia
• Justification for aggressive foreign policy as a form of "standing up" to the West
• Domestic policies framed as protecting Russian values from Western influence

The persistence of this resentment has made it a powerful tool for mobilizing public opinion and justifying both domestic and foreign policy decisions.

6. The role of propaganda and media control in shaping public opinion

The droning voice of the presenter stresses the advantages of civilization that Russia has brought to its conquered lands, creating an almost Kipling-like impression of the 'Russian man's burden'.

State control of narrative. The Russian government has exerted increasing control over media and information:

• Consolidation of major media outlets under state or state-aligned ownership
• Strict regulation of online content and social media
• Creation and promotion of patriotic content across all platforms

Impact on public discourse. This control has significant effects on public opinion and debate:

• Limited exposure to alternative viewpoints
• Reinforcement of state-approved narratives on key issues
• Creation of an information environment that supports the regime's policies

The result is a public sphere where critical voices are marginalized and state narratives dominate, making it difficult for alternative views to gain traction.

7. Confronting the legacy of Soviet repression and violence

Terror in Russia has been smeared in a sticky layer across society and across history in such a way that it appears that everyone has taken part in it and everyone is at one and the same time both guilty and not guilty.

Unresolved trauma. The legacy of Soviet-era repression continues to shape Russian society:

• Lack of comprehensive public reckoning with Stalinist crimes
• Ongoing debates about how to memorialize victims of state violence
• Persistence of authoritarian practices in governance and law enforcement

Challenges to reconciliation. Efforts to address this history face significant obstacles:

• State resistance to full accountability for past crimes
• Societal divisions over how to interpret Soviet history
• Fear of destabilizing current power structures by revisiting the past

The unresolved nature of this historical trauma contributes to ongoing societal tensions and complicates efforts at political and social reform.

8. The challenge of modernization and reform in contemporary Russia

In Russia, violence is the socially acknowledged norm, the way to solve problems and define relations, the way to act between the authorities and the people, between men and women, parents and children, teachers and pupils.

Barriers to change. Russia faces significant challenges in modernizing its economy and society:

• Entrenched interests resistant to reform
• Reliance on natural resource exports at the expense of diversification
• Cultural and institutional inertia favoring authoritarian practices

Limited reform efforts. Attempts at modernization have often been superficial or contradictory:

• Focus on technological advancement without corresponding social or political reforms
• Selective engagement with global markets while maintaining state control over key sectors
• Promotion of innovation in certain areas while stifling broader societal development

These conflicting approaches have resulted in uneven development and persistent obstacles to comprehensive modernization.

9. Russia's complex relationship with its neighboring countries

In Russia's case we can talk about a much deeper psychological mechanism – about symbolic compensation, the transfer and projection of our own complexes and frustrations onto the symbolic figure of 'the Other'.

Post-Soviet dynamics. Russia's relationships with its former Soviet neighbors are fraught with tension:

• Attempts to maintain influence over the "near abroad"
• Conflicts arising from Russian interventions (e.g., Ukraine, Georgia)
• Economic and cultural ties complicated by political disagreements

Identity and sovereignty. These relationships are deeply intertwined with questions of Russian identity:

• Concept of a shared cultural and historical space challenged by national independence movements
• Russian minority populations in neighboring countries as a source of tension
• Competing visions of regional integration (e.g., Eurasian Economic Union vs. EU association)

The complexity of these relationships reflects Russia's ongoing struggle to define its role in the post-Soviet space and its broader geopolitical identity.

10. The persistence of cultural and societal trauma in Russian consciousness

The whole of Russian society, from Putin to the humblest worker, carries with him the same amount of resentment.

Intergenerational trauma. Russian society continues to grapple with the effects of historical traumas:

• Legacy of totalitarianism and state violence
• Rapid social and economic changes following the collapse of the Soviet Union
• Persistent sense of insecurity and vulnerability to external threats

Manifestations in contemporary culture. This trauma is reflected in various aspects of Russian life:

• Prevalence of pessimism and fatalism in public discourse
• Tendency towards authoritarian solutions to social problems
• Difficulty in establishing trust in institutions and between social groups

The persistence of this cultural trauma complicates efforts at social and political reform, contributing to a cycle of authoritarian governance and societal discontent.

Last updated: October 1, 2024