Putin's Dark Ages: Political Neomedievalism and Re-Stalinization in Russia

Before the war against Ukraine, a "special operation" was launched against Russian historical memory, reshaping the nation's understanding of its history and identity. This book explores the glorification of Russian medieval society and its warlords as a source of support for Putinism, comparing it to political neomedievalism and re-Stalinization. It argues that the celebration of the oprichnina and Stalinism has been fused to reconstruct the Russian Empire and suggests that the global obsession with the Middle Ages is a potential weapon against democracy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 276 pages
Publication date: 26 October 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Before the war against Ukraine, a significant operation aimed at reshaping Russian historical memory took place. This operation was characterized by an aggressive campaign to alter the nation's perception of its history and identity. While the militarization of Russia during World War II through propaganda has been extensively documented, the glorification of Russian medieval society and its warlords as a source of support for Putinism has yet to be thoroughly explored. This book offers a groundbreaking comparison between Putin's political neomedievalism and re-Stalinization, introducing the concept of "mobmemory" to the study of right-wing populism. It argues that the celebration of the oprichnina, Ivan the Terrible's regime of state terror (1565–1572), has been intertwined with the rehabilitation of Stalinism to reconstruct the Russian Empire. The post-Soviet case suggests that the global obsession with the Middle Ages is not merely an aesthetic movement but a potential threat to democracy.

The book is designed to appeal to students, scholars, and non-specialists who are interested in gaining a deeper understanding of Russia's anti-modern politics and the support for the terror unleashed against Ukraine. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the historical, social, and political factors that have contributed to the rise of Putinism and its implications for the future of Russia and the world.

Weight: 700g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032571461