The Orthodox Church and Russian Politics

The Orthodox Church and Russian Politics examines the complex relationship between the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and Russia's political sphere during the post-Soviet period. The book focuses on specific case studies from 1991-2008 to analyze how religious institutions interact with state power. Papkova challenges conventional wisdom about the ROC's monolithic nature by investigating three distinct wings within the church - fundamentalist, traditionalist, and liberal. Her research draws on extensive fieldwork, interviews with church officials and politicians, and analysis of legislative documents and ecclesiastical statements. The work traces key developments like the 1997 religious freedom law, debates over religious education in schools, and church involvement in electoral politics. Through these examples, Papkova demonstrates the varied and sometimes conflicting approaches different Orthodox actors take toward engagement with the state. The book makes an important contribution to understanding the nuanced reality of church-state relations in post-Soviet Russia, moving beyond simplistic narratives of cooperation or opposition. Its findings have implications for broader questions about religion's role in contemporary politics and society.

Readers found this academic analysis thorough and well-researched in examining the Russian Orthodox Church's role in politics during Putin's early presidency. Several academic reviewers noted its detailed fieldwork and primary source documentation. Likes: - Clear breakdown of different Orthodox factions and their positions - Solid data on church-state dynamics at federal and local levels - Balanced perspective that avoids sensationalism - Strong methodology and evidence-based conclusions Dislikes: - Dense academic writing style - Some sections heavy on institutional details - Focus mainly on 2000-2008 period, less coverage of recent developments - Limited discussion of theology/doctrine Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (12 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (6 ratings) Notable review quote from H-Net Reviews: "Papkova provides a nuanced corrective to oversimplified narratives about Russian Orthodox Church-state relations...supported by extensive empirical research." Limited review data exists since this is a specialized academic text with a narrow audience.

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🔹 The book challenges the common Western perception that the Russian Orthodox Church acts as a unified political force, revealing instead three distinct groups within the Church with different political orientations. 🔹 Irina Papkova conducted extensive fieldwork in Russia between 2004 and 2008, attending Church events and interviewing key religious figures to gather primary research for this work. 🔹 The study examines crucial moments in post-Soviet Russian politics, including the 2000 Russian presidential elections and the 2008 succession crisis, through the lens of Church involvement. 🔹 The Russian Orthodox Church experienced a remarkable resurgence after the fall of communism, with the number of parishes growing from about 7,000 in 1988 to over 29,000 by 2008. 🔹 Rather than focusing solely on Church leadership, the book gives significant attention to grassroots Orthodox movements and their influence on Russian political life.