Radical nationalism in Russia
Encyclopedia
Radical nationalism in Russia refers to some far-right and some far-left extremist nationalist movements and organizations. Of note, the term "nationalist" in Russia
often refers to radical nationalism. However, it is often mixed up with "fascism
" in Russia. While this terminology does not exactly match the formal definitions of fascism, the common denominator is chauvinism
. In all other respects the positions vary over a wide spectrum. Some movements hold a political position that the state
must be an instrument of nationalism (such as the National-Bolshevik Party
, headed by Eduard Limonov
), while others (for example, Russian National Unity
) resolve to vigilante
tactics against the perceived "enemies of Russia" without going into politics.
Historically, the first prototype of such groups started with the Black Hundreds, that were quickly purged by the Soviet regime's anti-nationalistic policies. A new surge of this kind of activism was a byproduct of perestroika
and glasnost
, including neo-Soviet groups that called for a return of Soviet communism, and white supremacist movements heavily influenced by European and American groups. Several groups such as Pamyat
made an effort to combine pre-revolutionary Russian traditionalism with neo-fascism, although they are not as predominant as the aforementioned pro-Soviet and white supremacist groups.
In 1997, the Moscow Anti-Fascist Center estimated there were 40 (nationalist) extremist groups operating in Russia. The same source reported 35 extremist newspapers, the largest among these being Zavtra.
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
often refers to radical nationalism. However, it is often mixed up with "fascism
Fascism
Fascism is a radical authoritarian nationalist political ideology. Fascists seek to rejuvenate their nation based on commitment to the national community as an organic entity, in which individuals are bound together in national identity by suprapersonal connections of ancestry, culture, and blood...
" in Russia. While this terminology does not exactly match the formal definitions of fascism, the common denominator is chauvinism
Chauvinism
Chauvinism, in its original and primary meaning, is an exaggerated, bellicose patriotism and a belief in national superiority and glory. It is an eponym of a possibly fictional French soldier Nicolas Chauvin who was credited with many superhuman feats in the Napoleonic wars.By extension it has come...
. In all other respects the positions vary over a wide spectrum. Some movements hold a political position that the state
Sovereign state
A sovereign state, or simply, state, is a state with a defined territory on which it exercises internal and external sovereignty, a permanent population, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other sovereign states. It is also normally understood to be a state which is neither...
must be an instrument of nationalism (such as the National-Bolshevik Party
National-Bolshevik Party
The National Bolshevik Party was a Russian political party. Its political program is National Bolshevism. The NBP is a prominent member of The Other Russia coalition of opposition parties. There are also smaller NBP groups in other countries.In Russia, the organization has been banned, and has...
, headed by Eduard Limonov
Eduard Limonov
Eduard Limonov is Russian writer and political dissident, and is the founder and leader of radical National Bolshevik Party. An opponent of Vladimir Putin, Limonov is one of leaders of Other Russia political bloc.-Early life:...
), while others (for example, Russian National Unity
Russian National Unity
Russian National Unity or All-Russian civic patriotic movement "Russian National Unity" , is a far right, fascist political party and paramilitary organization based in Russia and operating in states with Russian-speaking populations. It was founded by the ultra-nationalist Alexander Barkashov...
) resolve to vigilante
Vigilante
A vigilante is a private individual who legally or illegally punishes an alleged lawbreaker, or participates in a group which metes out extralegal punishment to an alleged lawbreaker....
tactics against the perceived "enemies of Russia" without going into politics.
Historically, the first prototype of such groups started with the Black Hundreds, that were quickly purged by the Soviet regime's anti-nationalistic policies. A new surge of this kind of activism was a byproduct of perestroika
Perestroika
Perestroika was a political movement within the Communist Party of the Soviet Union during 1980s, widely associated with the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev...
and glasnost
Glasnost
Glasnost was the policy of maximal publicity, openness, and transparency in the activities of all government institutions in the Soviet Union, together with freedom of information, introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev in the second half of the 1980s...
, including neo-Soviet groups that called for a return of Soviet communism, and white supremacist movements heavily influenced by European and American groups. Several groups such as Pamyat
Pamyat
Pamyat is a Russian nationalist organization identifying itself as the "People's National-patriotic Orthodox Christian movement." The group's stated focus is preserving Russian culture.- History :...
made an effort to combine pre-revolutionary Russian traditionalism with neo-fascism, although they are not as predominant as the aforementioned pro-Soviet and white supremacist groups.
In 1997, the Moscow Anti-Fascist Center estimated there were 40 (nationalist) extremist groups operating in Russia. The same source reported 35 extremist newspapers, the largest among these being Zavtra.
Parties, organizations, movements
- Black HundredBlack HundredThe Black Hundreds , also known as the black-hundredists was an ultra-nationalist movement in Russia in the early 20th century. They were a supporter of the House of Romanov and opposed any retreat from the autocracy of the reigning monarch...
- MladorossiMladorossiThe Union of Mladorossi was a political group of Russian émigré monarchists who advocated a hybrid of Russian monarchy and the Soviet system, best evidenced by their motto "Tsar and the Soviets"....
- PamyatPamyatPamyat is a Russian nationalist organization identifying itself as the "People's National-patriotic Orthodox Christian movement." The group's stated focus is preserving Russian culture.- History :...
- People's National Party (Russia)People's National Party (Russia)The Peoples National Party is a minor far right political party in Russia. Its leader is Aleksandr Ivanov-Sukharevsky, who founded the party in 1994 with, it has been alleged, the aid of two veterans of the Black Hundreds Vladimir Osipov and Vyacheslav Demin.-Origins:The party grew from an attempt...
- Russian National Socialist PartyRussian National Socialist PartyThe Russian National Socialist Party is a neo-Nazi party based in Russia. The group achieved international notoriety in 2007 when a video appeared on the internet purportedly showing members decapitating two immigrants.-Development:The party grew out of the followers of Konstantin Kasimovsky, a...
- Russian National UnionRussian National UnionThe Russian National Union was a Neo-Nazi party in Russia. The party should not be confused with Russian National Unity, a larger group with similar roots, although with no direct connection....
- Russian National UnityRussian National UnityRussian National Unity or All-Russian civic patriotic movement "Russian National Unity" , is a far right, fascist political party and paramilitary organization based in Russia and operating in states with Russian-speaking populations. It was founded by the ultra-nationalist Alexander Barkashov...
- National Bolshevik Party
- Movement Against Illegal ImmigrationMovement Against Illegal ImmigrationThe Movement Against Illegal Immigration is a Russian nationalist and anti-Illegal immigration organization. The organization is led by Aleksandr Belov a former member of ultra-nationalist Pamyat...
See also
- Russian nationalismRussian nationalismRussian nationalism is a term referring to a Russian form of nationalism. Russian nationalism has a long history dating from the days of Muscovy to Russian Empire, and continued in some form in the Soviet Union. It is closely related to Pan-Slavism...
- Racism in Russia
- Russian FascismRussian Fascism- Organizations in 1930's and 1940's :* Fascist Union of Youth* Russian Fascist Organization* Russian Fascist Party* Russian Women's Fascist Movement* Union of Fascist Little Ones* Union of Young Fascists – Vanguard...
- Russia for RussiansRussia for RussiansRussia for Russians is a political slogan and nationalist doctrine, encapsulating the range of ideas from bestowing the ethnic Russians with exclusive rights in the Russian state to expelling all non-Russians from the country. Originated in the Russian Empire in the latter half of the 19th...
External links
- Nationalism and xenophobia in Russia, SOVA Center, an independent authority that produces reports and daily updates on the rise of nationalism and xenophobia in the Russian Federation
- Ultra-nationalist, fascist and neo-Nazi movements in Russia Infoshop News
- Western Perceptions of Russian Nationalism (or this link)
- Russian Nationalism and Putin's Russia ( or this link)
- On menace of nationalism in Russia. "Yabloko" Party view (in Russian)
- Vladislav Kelle. Nationalism and the future of Russia (in Russian)
- Racial violence escalates in Russia Jane's Intelligence Review, 5 September 2006
- National Socialist Society Radical national socialist organization
- Nordrus - an organization of "Russian radical nationalists" (in Russian)"VELVET" FASCISM. Ultra-nationalist ideas are popular among the literary mainstream and political saloons by Andrey KolesnikovRussian Fascism and Russian Fascists by Kirill BuketovRadical nationalism in Russia and efforts to counteract it in 2006