Varieties of Russian Activism: State-Society Contestation in Everyday Life

Russian activism has not been eliminated by authoritarianism, but rather has taken on new forms, such as labor unions, housing renovation, religion, electoral politics, minority language rights, and urban planning. This volume explores these diverse efforts to mobilize citizens and interrogates what practices can be defined as activism in a fast-changing, politically volatile society.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 04 April 2023
Publisher: Indiana University Press

Despite decades of Putin's rule, it is overly simplistic to assert that authoritarianism has eliminated Russian activism, particularly in relation to everyday life. Instead, we must cultivate a broader understanding of diverse efforts to mobilize citizens to gain a deeper insight into how activism is shaped by and, in turn, shapes the regime.

Varieties of Russian Activism delves into a diverse array of collective actions, encompassing labor unions, housing renovations, religion, electoral politics, minority language rights, and urban planning. Contributors highlight significant forms of grassroots politics that have received limited attention in scholarly discourse or warrant a fresh examination. The volume demonstrates that Russians find innovative ways to address everyday challenges and advocate for new services. Together, these essays interrogate the definition of activism in a rapidly evolving, politically volatile society.

An engaging compilation, Varieties of Russian Activism brings together esteemed scholars with a shared objective of exploring the interconnectedness of civic activism within the context of everyday life, interconnectedness, and escalating societal expectations towards the state.

Weight: 448g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780253065469