Syllabus
23.02.2024 introduction, the concept of the course
01.03.2024
1. System of power a. Wagner army, troll factories b. Presidential Administrarion How do they relate to the official power?
08.03.2024
2. State corporativism a. State-private business problem - Gazprom b. New oligarchy c. Is business taken over by the state or vice versa?
15.03.2024
3. Crime, corruption a. Corruption perception index b. Are Russians interested in corruption?
22.03.2024
4. Integration political, economic a. Eurasian Union, Cuba, Africa b. Why does Moscow pay for friendship?
29.03.2024 No class, Good Friday
05.04.2024 No class (conference participation)
12.04.2024
5. Public opinion, Propaganda a. Levada vs. WCIOM b. Do Russians trust in Putin?
19.04.2024
6. Historical policy a. Mythmaking in Putin’s Russia b. Why are history and its presentation so important?
26.04.2024
7. International comparisons
03.05.2024
8. Nationality, nationalism – official and unofficial a. Nazis and nationalists b. Why are some nationalists patriots while others are “fascists”?
10.05.2024
9. NGOs, GONGOs a. Why are some organizations banned while others promoted? b. What is mimicking of NGOs good for?
17.05.2024
10. Social problems and their reflection a. Epidemies, diseases etc. b. Are there more skeletons in the cupboard?
Annotation
The main aim of the course is to discuss the problems of post-communist Russia from their political, economic, and social perspective. Beyond giving final answers, the course should open new questions and promote critical thinking about Russia and its politics. We should challenge the established truths and subject them to a critical evaluation. The course aims to explain the current topics based on the development of the previous almost thirty years.
The main questions we should address are: What is post-Soviet in Russia? Why is Vladimir Putin still popular in Russia while negatively perceived in the West? Who rules the country? Is Russia a great power? Does it promote its borders or defend its territory? Nevertheless, students are welcomed and encouraged to raise their questions.
After finishing this course, students should be able to analyze contemporary Russia's problems in depth and explain them not only by simple declarations and truths so well known in newspapers. We will be simply asking questions, trying to find possible explanations.
We aim to understand and discuss, not to judge or make definitive conclusions.
After this course, students should be able to analyze the situation in Russia and its role in the world impartially and without emotions.