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Russia’s Heirs to Tolstoyevsky

Details: Nation

Russia’s Heirs to Tolstoyevsky

Details: 28 September 2015; Bradley Gorski

Casual observers of Russia often lament that the country’s once-vaunted culture no longer produces novelists of caliber equal to Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. But in fact, the world of contemporary Russian literature is vibrant and includes several novelists known for their grand realist works. These books are not only striking pieces of prose, but also valuable windows into modern-day Russian society, according to Bradley Gorski, a Ph.D. candidate in Slavic Studies at Columbia University.

The Ebbing of the Patriotic Wave

Details: Nation

The Ebbing of the Patriotic Wave

Details: 11 August 2015; Donald N. Jensen

President Vladimir Putin has seen his approval rating reach a record-high of 89 percent in recent months, riding a wave of so-called “patriotic mobilization” triggered by Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine. But are Russians truly enthusiastic about Putin’s policies, or are they merely passive supporters? Donald Jensen, resident fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations, analyzes the situation and finds that public support for the Kremlin may be broad but not strong.

The Label of An Enemy

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The Label of An Enemy

Details: 28 May 2015; Denis Volkov

Less than three years ago Russia passed a law on so-called “foreign agents.” On May 23, 2015, Vladimir Putin signed another bill restricting the work of nongovernmental organizations, known as the law on “undesirable” organizations. Levada Center sociologist Denis Volkov analyzes the consequences of these repressive measures and concludes that the process of deinstitutionalization of the civil sphere has already started in Russia.

A New Wave of Emigration: The Best Are Leaving Part 2

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A New Wave of Emigration: The Best Are Leaving Part 2

Details: 23 April 2015; Ksenia Semenova

In the first part of this special research project on Russian emigration, we talked about the extent to which emigration is occurring, and media coverage, expert opinions, and the nature of statistics pertaining to this topic. In the second part of the research, journalist Ksenia Semenova analyzes the results of a survey conducted among those who left Russia in the period from 2012 to 2014. Many of these people still do not call themselves emigrants.

Why Doesn’t Russia Censor the Internet Like China?

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Why Doesn’t Russia Censor the Internet Like China?

Details: 15 April 2015; Ezekiel Pfeifer

Freedom of information abuse is among the key problems in Russia today. While the Kremlin established control over the country’s traditional mass media a while ago, restrictions on the Internet have gone into place quite recently. Independent Russia analyst Ezekiel Pfeifer evaluates the Kremlin’s current tactics in handling online information.

A New Emigration: The Best Are Leaving. Part 1

Details: Nation

A New Emigration: The Best Are Leaving. Part 1

Details: 07 April 2015; Ksenia Semenova

Over the last few months, the beginning of a new wave of Russian emigration has sparked debates in the Russian and Western media. But are we really witnessing a surge in emigration? In the first part of a special research project for the Institute of Modern Russia, journalist Ksenia Semenova analyzes the nature and extent of this trend, as well as expert opinions and the matter of registering emigrants.

Does Russia’s Protest Movement Have a Future?

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Does Russia’s Protest Movement Have a Future?

Details: 24 February 2015; Denis Volkov

On March 1, an “anti-crisis march” organized by Russian opposition leaders is set to be held in Moscow. Its goal is to protest against the war in Ukraine and to show people’s frustration with the economic crisis. Organizers estimate that as many as 100,000 people will participate in the march. Levada Center sociologist Denis Volkov examines the character and potential of Russia’s protest movement.

Denial of Reality

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Denial of Reality

Details: 18 February 2015; Olga Melnikova

Since last summer, the price of many goods in Russia has risen considerably, in some cases several-fold. However, according to opinion polls, many Russians refuse to accept the fact that the country has entered a crisis. Olga Melnikova analyzes this public reaction.

Putin’s Ratings: Anomaly or Trend?

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Putin’s Ratings: Anomaly or Trend?

Details: 23 December 2014; Denis Volkov

Vladimir Putin’s public approval rating reached 80 percent in March 2014 and has remained at this abnormally high level for almost a year, despite deterioration of the country’s economic and social situation. Levada Center sociologist Denis Volkov explains the underlying reasons for this phenomenal degree of support for the Russian president.

Health Care Reform as a Catalyst for Progress

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Health Care Reform as a Catalyst for Progress

Details: 21 November 2014; Tatiana Stanovaya

In early November, a number of health care professionals gathered in Moscow to protest the large-scale layoffs and closure of many health care centers that were triggered by the recent health care reform. According to political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya, this social unrest has the potential to spiral into a political crisis and become a domestic threat to the current regime.

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