Fluid Russia: Between the Global and the National in the Post-Soviet Era

Fluid Russia provides a fresh perspective on Russian national identity by examining how globalization has influenced its development, highlighting a dynamic identity that is evolving in line with other countries impacted by globalization. Vera Michlin-Shapir argues that Putin's rise to power and his project to reaffirm a stronger identity are part of a broader phenomenon of challenges to globalization, and that Russia's experience with national identity is not abnormal or defective. This study ties Russia's authoritarian politics and nationalist rallying to the shortcomings of globalization and neoliberal economics, making it a potential example of the anti-globalist populist wave and rise of neo-authoritarian regimes.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2021
Publisher: Cornell University Press

Fluid Russia presents a fresh perspective on Russian national identity by delving into the profound impact of globalization on its formation, a dimension that has largely been overlooked. This approach unveils a dynamic Russian identity that is evolving in tandem with other nations exposed to globalization, offering a novel understanding of the country's identity development. Vera Michlin-Shapir highlights how, alongside the freedoms that accompanied Russia's integration into the globalizing world in the 1990s, globalization also brought about disruptions. Michlin-Shapir portrays Putin's rise to power and his endeavor to reinforce a stronger identity as part of a broader phenomenon challenging globalization rather than as a distinct deviation from liberal democracy. She underscores the limitations of Putin's regime in shaping Russian politics and society, recognizing that global trends continue to exert a significant influence. Moreover, Michlin-Shapir challenges a prevailing approach in Russia studies that perceives Russia's experience with national identity as abnormal or defective, either being too weak or too aggressive. Instead, she presents a novel explanation for the so-called Russian identity crisis. As the liberal postwar order faces mounting challenges, Russia's experience provides valuable insights into how these processes unfold. This study establishes a connection between Russia's authoritarian politics and nationalist rallies and the shortcomings of globalization and neoliberal economics, potentially positioning Russia as the catalyst for the anti-globalist populist wave and the rise of neo-authoritarian regimes. By contributing to the broader understanding of national identity in the contemporary era and the intricacies of identity formation in the globalized world, Fluid Russia makes a significant contribution.

Weight: 57g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501760549