The Russian Crisis
The Russian Crisis is a series of analytical pieces on the implications of the serious crisis caused by events in and around contemporary Russia. This series provides a better understanding of the situation inside Russia and places it in a broader political context
#4: Divides behind the facade of unity
Political theorist and sociologist Greg Yudin elaborates on the pivotal aspects of deep contradictions and inequality in Russian society, exacerbated by the mobilization announced by Vladimir Putin in September 2022. Based on a set of polls, the author examines the main trends and patterns demonstrating the discrepancies between generations, regions and peoples in the country. Greg Yudin does not preclude the possibility of internal conflicts amid general disunity but assumes that young politicians, regional elites and representatives of ethnic minorities are able to facilitate political change and determine the medium-term Russian future.
Read more about the poll results and conclusions: hier
#3: The crisis at the door: social decline in Russia after 24 February 2022
In this analytical paper, the political scientist Dr. Ilya Matveev examines the renewed social crisis in Russia based on five indicators, namely the standard of living, employment and wages in the industrial area, healthcare, the non-profit sector and demography. While the country's military expenditures, "partial" mobilization and unprecedented sanctions imposed by Western countries have not resulted in a comprehensive economic collapse over the past year, conditions in the country have become much worse. Moreover, the accumulating effects of the escalating social crisis and the war's aftermath have pushed Russia into a new spiral of economic crisis. Beyond that, negative demographic trends are likely to hamper attempts to restore economic stability, leading to prolonged stagnation.
Read more about the social crisis factors and conclusions: here
#2: Limitations of anti-war messaging oriented at Russians
If you want to understand the challenges of anti-war propaganda in Russia and the limits of its success, this paper is a must-read. It provides an in-depth analysis of Putin's communication system and how he managed to maintain control over his audience. It also addresses the challenges faced by Russian opposition media in exile and suggests new strategies to reach a wider audience. It also discusses the challenges faced by Western anti-war propaganda in trying to influence the opinion of Russians and makes practical recommendations to improve its effectiveness. This paper is an important an engaging read for those seeking to gain valuable insights into the complexities of wartime propaganda and communication.
You can read the paper here
#1: Why does the Kremlin's Propaganda remain effective in Wartime?
This paper focuses on the mechanisms by which Putin's propaganda manages to capture people from different information bubbles, audiences, social contexts and positions. The author stresses that the intrinsic complexity and contradictions of Putin's loyal audience are downplayed or completely ignored. Consequently, both the causes of the war and its meaning do not have a single explanation for all Russians, which could be refuted by a set of facts.