Legitimating Nationalism: Political Identity in Russia's Ethnic Republics

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Legitimating Nationalism: Political Identity in Russia's Ethnic Republics

by Katie L. Stewart

University of Wisconsin Press, 2024

ISBNs

Cloth: 978-0-299-34770-3

eISBN: 978-0-299-34773-4 (PDF)

About the Book

Russia is a large, diverse, and complicated country whose far-flung regions maintain their own histories and cultures, even as President Vladimir Putin increases his political control. Powerful, autocratic regimes still need to establish their legitimacy; in Russia, as elsewhere, developing a compelling national narrative and building a sense of pride and belonging in a national identity is key to maintaining a united nation. It can also legitimate political power when leaders present themselves as the nation’s champions. Putin’s hold thus requires effective nation building— propagating the ever-evolving and often contested story of who, exactly, is Russian and what, exactly, that means.

Even in the current autocratic system, however, Russia’s multiethnic nature and fractured political history mean that not all political symbols work the same way everywhere; not every story finds the same audience in the same way. The message may emanate from Moscow, but regional actors—including local governments, civic organizations, and cultural institutions—have some agency in how they spread the message: some regionalization of identity work is permitted to ensure that Russian national symbols and narratives resonate with people, and to avoid protest. This book investigates how nation building works on the ground through close studies of three of Russia’s ethnic republics: Karelia, Tatarstan, and Buryatia. Understanding how the project of legitimating nationalism, in support of a unified country and specifically Putin’s regime, works in practice offers crucial context in understanding the shape and story of contemporary Russia.

About the Author

Katie L. Stewart is an associate professor of political science and international relations at Knox College.

Reviews

“Brings readers closer to understanding how Russia ticks and how Putin has managed to remain in power for so long.”

— Choice Reviews

“An outstanding book on a fascinating topic—a major contribution. Impressive, unique fieldwork on Russia’s ethnic minority regions contributes to a discussion of unprecedented depth and richness that enriches our understanding of how Russian nation building actually plays out.”

— Henry E. Hale, author of Patronal Politics: Eurasian Regime Dynamics in Comparative Perspective

“Addresses how the Kremlin’s nation-building strategy has been implemented in Russia’s multiethnic locales. The issue of coevolving, identity-building projects at various levels in Russia is potentially crucial for Russia’s future, and this is an original inquiry into the heart of these processes.”

— Gulnaz Sharafutdinova, author of The Red Mirror: Putin’s Leadership and Russia’s Insecure Identity

“A valuable contribution to the literature on nationalism, contemporary Russia, and the three republics, with its findings likely to be appreciated by scholars across various disciplines.”

— H-Net Reviews

“An essential book that provides a better understanding of the sources of political stability in multiethnic and authoritarian states like Russia. . . . A high-quality and important study that decentralizes our view of Russian politics and highlights the importance of regional dynamics in authoritarian settings.”

— Laboratorium: Russian Review of Social Research

“Opens a window into one of the most important phenomena of the Vladimir Putin era in Russia, namely the rise of state-sponsored Russian nationalism. . . . A welcome and timely addition to scholarship on national identity and nation building in Russia and its regions. . . . Provides much needed insight.”

— Slavic Review

“Fills an important gap in the literature. . . . Offers a rare glimpse into nation-building strategies in Russia’s ethnic republics.”

— The Russian Review

“Timely and insightful. . . . Offers a nuanced perspective on how nationalism is constructed and contested within a complex federal system. . . . Essential reading for anyone seeking to understand Russian nationalism beyond the rhetoric emanating from Moscow.”

— Europe-Asia Studies

“Offers a refreshing and timely analysis. . . . [The book’s] greatest strength lies in its weaving together of surveys, interviews, and participant observation to create a coherent account of how legitimacy is produced in Russia’s ethnic republics. . . . A highly engaging study that advances our understanding of the intersections between nationalism, legitimation, and authoritarian resilience in contemporary Russia.”

— Ab Imperio