Legitimating Nationalism

Russia is a large diverse and complicated country whose far-flung regions maintain their own histories and cultures even as President Vladimir Putin increases his political control. Powerful autocratic regimes still need to establish their legitimacy; in Russia as elsewhere developing a compelling national narrative and building a sense of pride and belonging in a national identity is key to maintaining a united nation. It can also legitimate political power when leaders present themselves as the nation's champions. Putin's hold thus requires effective nation building- propagating the ever-evolving and often contested story of who exactly is Russian and what exactly that means.<br> <br> Even in the current autocratic system however Russia's multiethnic nature and fractured political history mean that not all political symbols work the same way everywhere; not every story finds the same audience in the same way. The message may emanate from Moscow but regional actors-including local governments civic organizations and cultural institutions-have some agency in how they spread the message: some regionalization of identity work is permitted to ensure that Russian national symbols and narratives resonate with people and to avoid protest. This book investigates how nation building works on the ground through close studies of three of Russia's ethnic republics: Karelia Tatarstan and Buryatia. Understanding how the project of legitimating nationalism in support of a unified country and specifically Putin's regime works in practice offers crucial context in understanding the shape and story of contemporary Russia.