How can we understand post-Soviet ideological developments in the context of the Russian tradition of political philosophy?
In his new book, 'Putinism - Post-Soviet Russian Regime Ideology', Mikhail Suslov applies history of ideas to understand contemporary Russia and its agonistic relations with the West.
Suslov interprets this confrontation as essentially an ideological one, and claims that the lack of awareness about its ideological nature, or attempts to represent it as yet another colonial and imperialistic war, undermines the Western position. This is because the ultimate reason for Russia for fighting this war is only one: Putinism’s comprehensive and radical rejection of liberal democracy.
Suslov argues that Putinism is a major, new and relatively original challenge to liberal democracy. This ideology cannot be reduced to conservatism, nationalism, fascism, or populism, but includes characteristics of all of these, as well as of other ideological blocs.
Suslov also maintains that as an ideology, Putinism, is bigger than Putin, and even if Putin’s army is defeated on the battlefield, Putinism can stay with us for a long time, perhaps under other names and in other countries. This is because Putinism criticizes Western-led globalization, engages with the issues of justice and ecology, and tinkers with the leftist agenda - all components which may give Putinism a real international appeal and resonance beyond Russia.
The seminar is organised as a part of a joint RCN-funded project with the University of Oslo, “Values-based legitimation in authoritarian states: top-down versus bottom-up strategies, the case of Russia”. Moderator is Helge Blakkisrud.