Memory Makers: The Politics of the Past in Putin's Russia

The Kremlin's historical propaganda narratives justify Russia's invasion of Ukraine, using myth and memory to legitimize repression and imperialism. Memory Makers explores how these narratives permeate everyday life, shaping a specific Russian identity and having gruesome consequences. It serves as a warning to other nations tempted to gaze too long at their own imagined and heroic past.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 01 June 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Why arent ordinary Russians more outraged by Putins invasion of Ukraine?

Inside the Kremlins own historical propaganda narratives, Russias invasion of Ukraine makes complete sense. From its World War II cult to anti-Western conspiracy theories, the Kremlin has long used myth and memory to legitimize repression at home and imperialism abroad, its patriotic history resonating with and persuading large swathes of the Russian population.

In Memory Makers, Russia analyst Jade McGlynn takes us into the depths of Russian historical propaganda, revealing the chilling web of nationwide narratives and practices perforating everyday life, from after-school patriotic history clubs to tower block World War II murals. The use of history to manifest a particular Russian identity has had grotesque, even gruesome, consequences, but it belongs to a global political pattern – where ones view of history is the ultimate marker of political loyalty, patriotism and national belonging.

Memory Makers demonstrates how the extreme Russian experience is a stark warning to other nations tempted to stare too long at the reflection of their own imagined and heroic past.

Weight: 558g
Dimension: 166 x 241 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350280762