Oleg Platonov
Encyclopedia
Oleg Anatolyevich Platonov is a contemporary Russian
writer, historian
, and economist
. He is the Director General of the Institute for the History of Russian Civilization, a Moscow-based think tank
.
He has been described as ultranationalist, anti-Semitic, and a Holocaust denier.
, Russia, then known as Sverdlovsk. In 1972 he graduated from the Moscow College of Consumer Cooperation. Platonov has worked in the international department of TsSU
and, since 1977, in the Institute for Labor. In 1995 he organized a research institution Russian Civilization. He lived 7 months in the United States then returned to Russia. Platonov has published the encyclopedic dictionary Holy Rus' and four volumes of the Holy Rus'. The Great Encyclopedia of Russian People (out of a proposed twenty volumes). In that work, he praises the civilization of "Holy Rus'″ which, however, has been undermined since 17th century by various foreign elements ("чужебесия″) - forerunners of 'Jewish-Masonic plotters
' that in Platonov's opinion organized the Russian revolution. Though Platonov holds the Bolshevik regime responsible for 87 million lives, he argues Stalin made "the first step toward the salvation of Russia from Jewish Bolshevism
.″
Since 2003, Platonov's encyclopedia publishing center was transformed into the independent think tank Institute for the History of Russian Civilization (short name Russian Institute), whose goal is stated as research and dissemination of the ideas of Metropolitan
Ioann of St. Petersburg and Ladoga (Ivan Snychev) (1927–1995) with Platonov as the Institute's Director General.
In his work The History of the Russian People in the Twentieth Century, Platonov treats the February and October revolutions of 1917 as handiwork of Judæo-Masonic conspirators
, the agents of the Entente
and of the German Empire
. Similarly, he regards the leaders of Ukrainian and Baltic independence movements as spies and German agents.
of a special issue of Russky Vestnik on Holocaust revisionism quotes Platonov as follows:
and human rights activist
Alexander Brod, writer and historian Semyon Reznik
, and the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia
regard Platonov's works as antisemitic. Reznik also notes that Platonov is one of the main promoters of the blood libel
.
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
writer, historian
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
, and economist
Economist
An economist is a professional in the social science discipline of economics. The individual may also study, develop, and apply theories and concepts from economics and write about economic policy...
. He is the Director General of the Institute for the History of Russian Civilization, a Moscow-based think tank
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
.
He has been described as ultranationalist, anti-Semitic, and a Holocaust denier.
Biography
Platonov was born in YekaterinburgYekaterinburg
Yekaterinburg is a major city in the central part of Russia, the administrative center of Sverdlovsk Oblast. Situated on the eastern side of the Ural mountain range, it is the main industrial and cultural center of the Urals Federal District with a population of 1,350,136 , making it Russia's...
, Russia, then known as Sverdlovsk. In 1972 he graduated from the Moscow College of Consumer Cooperation. Platonov has worked in the international department of TsSU
TsSU
The Central Statistical Administration , abbreviated TsSU , was the main statistical organization of the former Soviet Union; it was dissolved in the 1980s, replaced by Goskomstat.It had the following names:...
and, since 1977, in the Institute for Labor. In 1995 he organized a research institution Russian Civilization. He lived 7 months in the United States then returned to Russia. Platonov has published the encyclopedic dictionary Holy Rus' and four volumes of the Holy Rus'. The Great Encyclopedia of Russian People (out of a proposed twenty volumes). In that work, he praises the civilization of "Holy Rus'″ which, however, has been undermined since 17th century by various foreign elements ("чужебесия″) - forerunners of 'Jewish-Masonic plotters
Judaeo-Masonic conspiracy theory
The Judeo-Masonic conspiracy is a type of conspiracy theory involving an alleged secret coalition of a small section of Jews and Masons. These theories were popular on the reactionary right, particularly in France with similar allegations still being published.-Elders of Zion:The Judeo-Masonic...
' that in Platonov's opinion organized the Russian revolution. Though Platonov holds the Bolshevik regime responsible for 87 million lives, he argues Stalin made "the first step toward the salvation of Russia from Jewish Bolshevism
Jewish Bolshevism
Jewish Bolshevism, Judeo-Bolshevism, and known as Żydokomuna in Poland, is an antisemitic stereotype based on the claim that Jews have been the driving force behind or are disproportionately involved in the modern Communist movement, or sometimes more specifically Russian Bolshevism.The expression...
.″
Since 2003, Platonov's encyclopedia publishing center was transformed into the independent think tank Institute for the History of Russian Civilization (short name Russian Institute), whose goal is stated as research and dissemination of the ideas of Metropolitan
Metropolitan bishop
In Christian churches with episcopal polity, the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan, pertains to the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a metropolis; that is, the chief city of a historical Roman province, ecclesiastical province, or regional capital.Before the establishment of...
Ioann of St. Petersburg and Ladoga (Ivan Snychev) (1927–1995) with Platonov as the Institute's Director General.
In his work The History of the Russian People in the Twentieth Century, Platonov treats the February and October revolutions of 1917 as handiwork of Judæo-Masonic conspirators
Judaeo-Masonic conspiracy theory
The Judeo-Masonic conspiracy is a type of conspiracy theory involving an alleged secret coalition of a small section of Jews and Masons. These theories were popular on the reactionary right, particularly in France with similar allegations still being published.-Elders of Zion:The Judeo-Masonic...
, the agents of the Entente
Allies of World War I
The Entente Powers were the countries at war with the Central Powers during World War I. The members of the Triple Entente were the United Kingdom, France, and the Russian Empire; Italy entered the war on their side in 1915...
and of the German Empire
German Empire
The German Empire refers to Germany during the "Second Reich" period from the unification of Germany and proclamation of Wilhelm I as German Emperor on 18 January 1871, to 1918, when it became a federal republic after defeat in World War I and the abdication of the Emperor, Wilhelm II.The German...
. Similarly, he regards the leaders of Ukrainian and Baltic independence movements as spies and German agents.
Platonov's views on Holocaust
A review in the Journal of Historical ReviewJournal of Historical Review
The Journal of Historical Review is a non-peer reviewed serial, periodical, or journal published by the Institute for Historical Review in Torrance, California. Its subject is primarily Holocaust denial...
of a special issue of Russky Vestnik on Holocaust revisionism quotes Platonov as follows:
Russian historian Dr. Oleg A. Platonov writes of the "myth of the 'Holocaust', namely, that six million Jews were allegedly put to death in gas chamberGas chamberA gas chamber is an apparatus for killing humans or animals with gas, consisting of a sealed chamber into which a poisonous or asphyxiant gas is introduced. The most commonly used poisonous agent is hydrogen cyanide; carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide have also been used...
s during the Second World War. "This myth, he continues, "has taken hold in the mass mind with particular force,"with the aim of encouraging non-Jews to "feel a sense of guilt, repent and pay restitution."
Reception
The Russian statesmanStatesman
A statesman is usually a politician or other notable public figure who has had a long and respected career in politics or government at the national and international level. As a term of respect, it is usually left to supporters or commentators to use the term...
and human rights activist
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
Alexander Brod, writer and historian Semyon Reznik
Semyon Reznik
Semyon Reznik — Russian writer, journalist, man of letters and historian, noted in particular for his study of the blood libel and the resurgence of Neonazism in Russia...
, and the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia
Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia
Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia — Russian religious organization, unifying communities of «orthodox» Judaism, mostly of Chabad Hasidic movement...
regard Platonov's works as antisemitic. Reznik also notes that Platonov is one of the main promoters of the blood libel
Blood libel
Blood libel is a false accusation or claim that religious minorities, usually Jews, murder children to use their blood in certain aspects of their religious rituals and holidays...
.
Works
- Russia's Crown of Thorns: The Secret History of Freemasonry 1731-1996 (Moscow, 1996)
- Еврейский вопрос в России (The Jewish Question in Russia) (Moscow: Presskom, 2005) ISBN 5980830421
External links
- Online versions of Platonov books on Aldebaran.ru
- Online versions of Platonov books on Lib.ru
- Reviews of books by Platonov