Religion and Politics in Russia: A Reader

Religion and Politics in Russia: A Reader examines the complex relationship between faith and governance in post-Soviet Russia. The book presents a collection of essays and analyses from scholars focusing on religious movements, state policies, and societal changes from the 1990s through the early 2000s. The text covers multiple religious traditions including Russian Orthodox Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and indigenous belief systems across Russia's regions. Contributors explore topics such as the Russian Orthodox Church's growing political influence, Islamic communities in the North Caucasus, and the revival of shamanic practices in Siberia. Case studies demonstrate how religious institutions interact with local and federal authorities, showing the evolution of church-state relations since the fall of communism. The structure moves from broad historical context to specific regional examples, incorporating both academic research and firsthand accounts. The compilation reveals patterns of religious nationalism, identity formation, and power dynamics that continue to shape modern Russia's social landscape. These selections raise questions about secularism, pluralism, and the role of traditional faiths in a post-Soviet context.

This book appears to be too academic and specialized to have attracted many public reader reviews online. No reviews exist on Goodreads, and only one brief review appears on Amazon (without a rating). WorldCat shows it is held by academic libraries but lacks reader feedback. The single available reader review notes that the book provides useful background information on religion's role in Russian politics and society since the Soviet era collapse. However, the reviewer indicates the essays' academic tone and focus on specialized topics may limit appeal for general readers. The lack of public reviews suggests this is primarily used as a reference text in academic settings rather than read by a broader audience. Without more reader feedback available online, it's not possible to provide a comprehensive summary of how readers have received this book.

The Orthodox Church and Russian Politics by Irina Papkova Through case studies and historical analysis, this work examines the Russian Orthodox Church's influence on post-Soviet political processes and state policies.

Russian Politics and Society by Richard Sakwa The text chronicles the transformation of Russia's political institutions, social structures, and religious dynamics from the Soviet era through contemporary times.

The New Russian Nationalism by Pål Kolstø, Helge Blakkisrud This compilation presents research on the evolution of nationalist ideologies in post-Soviet Russia and their intersection with religious identity and state power.

The Politics of Religion in Russia and the New States of Eurasia by Michael Bourdeaux The book maps the religious revival across the former Soviet space and its impact on political developments after the USSR's collapse.

Orthodox Russia in Crisis by Isaiah Gruber This historical analysis traces the relationship between church and state in Russia from the medieval period through modern times, focusing on periods of social and political transformation.

🔹 The book explores how Russian Orthodox Christianity experienced a dramatic revival after the fall of the Soviet Union, with church attendance rising from 2% to over 70% in less than a decade. 🔹 Author Marjorie Mandelstam Balzer has conducted extensive fieldwork in Siberia and is an expert on shamanic practices, making her uniquely qualified to discuss Russia's religious diversity beyond Orthodox Christianity. 🔹 The collection includes firsthand accounts of religious persecution during the Soviet era, including stories of underground churches and secret baptisms that helped preserve faith traditions. 🔹 The book examines how President Vladimir Putin has strategically aligned himself with the Russian Orthodox Church to promote a narrative of Russian nationalism and traditional values. 🔹 The reader includes materials about lesser-known religious movements in Russia, such as the Old Believers who split from the main Orthodox Church in the 17th century and maintain distinct communities to this day.