Patriotism, Soviet History - 1964-1991, Soviet History - General & Miscellaneous, Political Protest & Dissent, Communism by Region, Soviet History - Political Aspects, Nationalism & Sovereignty - General & Miscellaneous, 1917 - 1991 (Soviet Union) - Histo
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Synopsis
Argues that Russian nationalism presents a serious alternative to declining Soviet ideology and that the USSR may revert to authoritarian isolationism. Rejects the distinction made by U.S. Sovietologists between "good" Orthodox nationalists and "bad" atheist "National Bolsheviks". Russian nationalism has always been dominated by authoritarian trends tending to fascism. Traces the development of Slavophile ideology since the 19th century which, under German influence, became increasingly antisemitic. Cites a 1901 novel by Sergei Sharapov, where the Jews are the main enemies of a future Russian Empire. Surveys revived nationalism since the 1960s, including antisemitism (e.g. in the journal "Molodaya Gvardiya"). Describes the struggle between liberal and fascist tendencies in the journal "Veche", and antisemitic elements in Solzhenitsyn's works. His religious faith prevents Solzhenitsyn from uniting with an atheist regime against the Jews - a step taken only by G. Shimanov, leader of the Ultras or Russian fascists.Editorials
Publishers Weekly -
Yanov focuses on the Soviet extreme right wing, fueled by a resurgence of Russian nationalism, dedicated to military solutions, anti-Western and anti-Semitic in its outlook. His disturbing thesis is that if the reforms attempted by Gorbachev do not succeed, a right-wing takeover in the U.S.S.R. is possible. Therefore, he stresses, instead of treating the Soviet Union as if it were a monolithic empire, U.S. leaders should support the reform elements and weaken the ultraright nationalists. Now a professor at City University of New York, Yanov was driven into exile by Brezhnev in 1974. He brings a unique perspective to the Russian political scene, analyzing a line of thought running from the Slavophiles of 1830-1850 to modern ideologues who promote imperial nationalism as the engine of a new Soviet fascism. A chilling book. (October 27)Library Journal
Yanov ( Origins of Autocracy , LJ 2/1/82) argues for the vitality of the Russian New Right, its roots in Russian history, and its degeneration from nationalist dissent to the tactics of a fascist movement. A thorough command of samizdat lends authority to Yanov's case. His historical analogies are suggestive. Gorbachev's reforms echo those of Stolypin under Nicholas II. Some may fault Yanov's view of the Soviet future, criticism of sovietology, and conclusions about U.S. foreign policy, but he has identified a lurking threat to Soviet reform often neglected in the West. Recommended for academic libraries, especially for strong Soviet collections.Zachary T. Irwin, Behrend Coll., Pennsylvania State Univ., ErieBook Details
Published
July 9, 1987
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
Pages
288
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9780631153344