Comrade Kerensky

Alexander Kerensky was a hero of the 1917 February Revolution and Prime Minister of the Provisional Government, but was unceremoniously dethroned in the Bolshevik takeover and exiled to Paris and the US. Boris Kolonitskii's study of the Russian leadership cult uses Kerensky's figure to show how popular engagement with the idea of the leader became a key component of a cultural re-imagining of the political landscape after the fall of the monarchy. Kolonitskii examines the tapestry of images woven by Kerensky and those around him, exposing his vital role in the development of nascent Soviet political culture.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 450 pages
\n Publication date: 30 October 2020
\n Publisher: Polity Press
\n

Alexander Kerensky, a prominent figure in the 1917 February Revolution and the Provisional Government, was hailed as a heroic leader during his brief political tenure. Sculptures, badges, and medals featuring his likeness were abundant, and streets were renamed after him. His speeches were quoted on gravestones, and literary odes dedicated to him proliferated in the press. However, his reign came to an abrupt end with the Bolshevik takeover in October, leading him to exile in Paris and then the United States. Kerensky's rapid rise and fall, coupled with his immense popularity, reflected a broader historical phenomenon known as the cult of the leader.

In his groundbreaking study, Boris Kolonitskii explores the emergence of the leader cult in Russia after the fall of the monarchy. He uses the figure of Kerensky to demonstrate how popular engagement with the idea of the leader became a crucial component of a cultural re-imagining of the political landscape. Kolonitskii argues that a parallel revolution was taking place, creating a resonant political vocabulary that had not existed before. This shared exercise of bestowing and dissolving authority played a significant role in shaping a politicized way of seeing that would shape Soviet political culture for years to come.

Kolonitskii's analysis is rich in detail and provides a nuanced understanding of the complex dynamics of the Russian leadership cult. He examines the tapestry of images woven by Kerensky and those around him, exposing his vital role in the development of nascent Soviet political culture. Through his study, Kolonitskii sheds new light on the cult of Kerensky that developed during his time, highlighting its significance in shaping the political landscape of the Soviet Union.

This highly original portrait of a revolutionary offers valuable insights into the complexities of political power and the role of leaders in shaping society. It challenges traditional narratives and provides a fresh perspective on the historical phenomenon of the leader cult, which continues to influence political discourse and society today. Kolonitskii's work is a must-read for anyone interested in Russian history, politics, and culture.

\n Weight: 786g\n
Dimension: 161 x 236 x 40 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781509533640\n \n