Political Science

The last refuge of a scoundrel: Patriotism, militarism and the Russian national idea

Document Type

Article

Abstract

In a nation-state, where ethnic and territorial borders coincide, patriotism may easily have an exclusivist-nationalist component, and be used to serve the goals of politicians hoping to mobilise the population for destructive goals. In a multinational state like Russia, the militaristic patriotism that Yeltsin's and Putin's administrations promote can also carry that risk. The Russian state leadership's use of a militaristic patriotism as a means to generate popular support risks unleashing ethnic chauvinism and the military domination of civilian institutions. Such phenomena cast doubt on the prospects for Russia's state-building process to proceed along liberal democratic lines. Non-governmental organisations, such as Russia's Committee of Soldiers' Mothers, however, have devised an alternative vision of patriotism, relying on rule of law and the observance of civil rights, and thereby hold out a slim hope for reframing Russian patriotism and building a peaceful democracy.

Publication Title

Nations and Nationalism

Publication Date

2003

Volume

9

Issue

2

First Page

235

Last Page

253

ISSN

1354-5078

DOI

10.1111/1469-8219.00084

Keywords

Russia, ethnopolitics, leadership, military application, nationalism, political ideology

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