Society - Institute of Modern Russia

Party Renaissance

Details: Nation

Party Renaissance

Details: 23 May 2012; Olga Khvostunova

This April, the Russian Duma passed a bill legislating new procedures for party registration. So far, over 150 new parties have submitted their applications to the Ministry of Justice. Although this may appear as a sign of political liberalization, some analysts warn that the power structure in Russia will not change radically in the near future.

Russian-Speaking Americans: United to Help

Details: Nation

Russian-Speaking Americans: United to Help

Details: 18 May 2012; Xenia Grubstein

On May 6th, the American Russian-speaking Association for Civil & Human Rights (ARA) held its first national convention in New York. One of the founders, Xenia Grubstein, shed some light on ARA's mission and future.

What Сan the New Decembrists Learn from Alexander Herzen?

Details: Nation

What Сan the New Decembrists Learn from Alexander Herzen?

Details: 15 May 2012; Alexander Yanov

Historian Alexander Yanov commemorates the 200th anniversary of the birth of 19th century Russian thinker Alexander Herzen with the dramatic tale of his rise and fall as an essential political commentator, a story that has far-reaching implications for today's opposition movement.

Details: Nation

The War Is On

Details: 09 May 2012

This year, the traditional May holidays in Russia were fraught with more than the regular dose of politics. Vladimir Putin was inaugurated to his third presidential term, Dmitry Medvedev returned to the post of the Prime Minister, and the protesters took to the street once again. The response to these demonstrations made it clear that the Russian authorities would no longer tolerate the opposition and their rallies. The protesters also made it clear that they were not going to give up. If the screws get any tighter, the political stand-off in Russia might turn into an ugly, and perhaps even bloody, confrontation.

D.C. Art Exhibit Protests Putin’s Third Inauguration Absence of Political Freedom in Russia

Details: Nation

D.C. Art Exhibit Protests Putin’s Third Inauguration Absence of Political Freedom in Russia

Details: 05 May 2012

“Lest We Forget: Masters of Soviet Dissent,” an exhibition of paintings and works on paper by Leonhard Lapin and Alexander Zhdanov, two of the Soviet Union’s leading dissident artists, opened Monday, May 7th at Charles Krause Reporting Fine Art Gallery in Washington, to coincide with Vladimir Putin’s third inauguration as President of the Russian Federation in Moscow.

Worthless Mercy

Details: Nation

Worthless Mercy

Details: 25 April 2012

On Monday, April 23rd, Russia's outgoing President Dmitri Medvedev pardoned a number of prisoners on humanitarian grounds. Among them was Sergei Mokhnatkin, the only political prisoner on the list of 37 inmates compiled by a group of human rights activists and submitted to the President in February.

A Crucial Alliance

Details: Nation

A Crucial Alliance

Details: 18 April 2012; Alexander Yanov

The toxic combination of a stagnant economy and Putin's counter-reforms could make Russia a danger to Europe in the near future. According to historian Alexander Yanov, the country's greatest hope for neutralizing this threat and effecting real change is an alliance between its opposition movement and Europe.

IMR on Innovative Approaches to the History of Russia and the Post-Soviet Space

Details: Nation

IMR on Innovative Approaches to the History of Russia and the Post-Soviet Space

Details: 03 April 2012; Caterina Innocente

The return of neo-Stalinism and the conservative, Soviet philosophy of history, which (according to public opinion polls and blogs) can be observed in education and among many Russians, challenges a number of important changes that took place in the Russian mentality during the 1990s. Subverting the dominant paradigm of Russian history proved to be incredibly difficult: this powerful ideological machine and the worldview that comes with it were formed over the course of 150 years—from the writings of Nikolay Karamzin through government schools; from the ‘vaccination’ of Stalinist Marxism to late-Soviet Russocentrism and the perceived necessity of a sovereign ruler.

The New Imperial History

Details: Nation

The New Imperial History

IMR on Innovative Approaches to the History of Russia and the Post-Soviet Space

Details: 03 April 2012; Caterina Innocente

The complexities of the Russian future require new approaches to the the nation's past. These can be found in the New Imperial History project, created by a group of leading Russian historians including Ilya Gerasimov, Aleksander Semyonov, Marina Mogilner and Sergei Glebov. This project explores the myths found in outdated historiography, recognizing the multiplicity of past with view to the pluralism of the future. Ilya Gerasomov and Aleksander Semyonov recently spoke to IMR's Caterina Innocente about their work and some fresh perspectives on Russian history and the post-Soviet space.

The Nail in the Coffin of Russian Democracy

Details: Nation

The Nail in the Coffin of Russian Democracy

Details: 07 March 2012; Olga Khvostunova

On March 4th, Vladimir Putin was elected for his third term as Russian president. Despite Putin’s seemingly overwhelming victory, independent observers reported voter fraud and the Russian opposition continued protesting in Moscow and other major cities. International leaders were wary in offering their congratulations to the president-elect. Olga Khvostunova reviews reactions to Vladimir Putin's election in the Russian and Western press.

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