Russian Nationalism: Past and Present

Geoffrey Hosking's Russian Nationalism: Past and Present examines the historical development and contemporary manifestations of nationalist ideology in Russia. The book traces the evolution of Russian national identity from its imperial roots through the Soviet period to the modern era. Hosking analyzes key historical events, political movements, and cultural forces that have shaped Russian nationalism over centuries. He explores the complex relationships between Russian Orthodox Christianity, state power, and national consciousness, while documenting how different regimes have leveraged nationalist sentiments. The work incorporates primary sources and historical documentation to examine how Russian leaders and intellectuals have defined and redefined what it means to be Russian. Hosking pays particular attention to the transformation of nationalist discourse during periods of major social and political upheaval. This scholarly examination reveals enduring patterns in how Russian national identity has been constructed and maintained through various historical periods. The work raises important questions about the role of nationalism in shaping both domestic governance and international relations.

This book appears to have limited reader reviews available online - making it difficult to reliably characterize overall reader reception. The scholarly work has fewer than 5 ratings on Goodreads and is not listed on major retail sites like Amazon. Readers noted the book's focus on the historical development of Russian nationalism rather than just contemporary analysis. One academic reviewer highlighted Hosking's examination of how Russian identity evolved through interactions with minority populations within the empire. Critical feedback centered on the book's dense academic writing style and heavy use of specialist terminology that could deter general readers interested in the topic. Current ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2 ratings) WorldCat: No ratings Google Books: No ratings Note: Given the very limited number of public reviews available, this summary may not fully represent the range of reader opinions about this work.

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🔹 Geoffrey Hosking is considered one of Britain's foremost historians of Russia and served as the Leverhulme Research Professor of Russian History at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies. 🔹 Russian nationalism has unique characteristics compared to other European nationalisms because it developed within an empire where ethnic Russians were often a minority in many regions. 🔹 The concept of "Russian-ness" has historically been complicated by the interchangeable use of terms like "Rus," "Rossiya," and "Russkiy," each carrying different cultural and political implications. 🔹 The Orthodox Church played a crucial role in shaping Russian national identity, with the concept of "Moscow as the Third Rome" becoming a fundamental aspect of Russian nationalist thought. 🔹 The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 sparked a new wave of Russian nationalism studies, making Hosking's work particularly relevant for understanding contemporary Russian political movements.