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Taking a unique qualitative approach to studying Russian political culture, this book presents an in-depth analysis of the attitudes and activities of residents in two provincial capitals, Syktyvkar and Kirov. It shows evidence of underlying democracy in popular opinions. It also finds an authoritarian side that is being strengthened by the ongoing crisis of Russia's transition. In entering a controversial subject area, the author directs a critical eye toward the contemporary research on Russian political culture.
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Political Culture in Post-Communist Russia Formlessness and Recreation in a Traumatic Transition James Alexander Political Culture in Post-Communist Russia This page intentionally left blank Political Culture in Post-Communist Russia Formlessness and Recreation in a Traumatic Transition James Alexander Assistant Professor Northeastern State University Tahlequah Oklahoma First published in Great Britain 2000 by MACMILLAN PRESS LTD Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 6XS and London Companies and representatives throughout the world A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. ISBN 0–333–77344–6 First published in the United States of America 2000 by ST. MARTIN’S PRESS, LLC, Scholarly and Reference Division, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010 ISBN 0–312–23194–6 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Alexander, James, 1964– Political culture in post-communist Russia : formlessness and recreation in a traumatic transition / James Alexander. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0–312–23194–6 1. Political culture—Russia (Federation) 2. Russia (Federation)—Politics and government—1991– 3. Political culture—Russia (Federation)—Syktyvkar. 4. Political culture—Russia (Federation)—Kirov (Kirovskaia oblast’) I. Title. JN6699.A15 A43 2000 947.086—dc21 00–021164 © James Alexander 2000 All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be made without written permission. No paragraph of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted save with written permission or in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, or under the terms of any licence permitting limited copying issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency, 90 Tottenham Court Road, London W1P 0LP. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages. The author has asserted his right to be identified as the author of this work in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. This book is printed on paper suitable for recycling and made from fully managed and sustained forest sources. 10 09 9 08 8 07 7 06 6 5 05 04 4 03 3 02 2 01 Printed and bound in Great Britain by Antony Rowe Ltd, Chippenham, Wiltshire 1 00 For Kathleen This page intentionally left blank Contents List of Figures viii List of Tables ix Preface x 1 Investigating Russian Political Culture 2 Political Culture as a Research Agenda 3 Surveying Attitudes in Russia: a Representation of Formlessness 4 Uncertain Conditions in the Russian Transition: the Popular Drive toward Stability in a ‘Stateless’ Environment 5 Concepts in the Making: How Russians Define Their Political World 6 Activity and Apathy: the Extremes of Politics in the Komi Republic 7 Russians as Political Participants: Looking Away from Politics 8 Russian Relations with Authority: the Call for Strength and Unity in Leadership 9 Formlessness and Cultural Recreation 176 209 Appendix 234 Notes and References 236 Bibliography 257<