ABSTRACT
Alongside the Arab Spring, the 'Occupy' anti-capitalist movements in the West, and the events on the Maidan in Kiev, Russia has had its own protest movements, notably the political protests of 2011–12. As elsewhere in the world, these protests had unlikely origins, in Russia’s case spearheaded by the 'creative class'. This book examines the protest movements in Russia. It discusses the artistic traditions from which the movements arose; explores the media, including the internet, film, novels, and fashion, through which the protesters have expressed themselves; and considers the outcome of the movements, including the new forms of nationalism, intellectualism, and feminism put forward. Overall, the book shows how the Russian protest movements have suggested new directions for Russian – and global – politics.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part I|103 pages
Origins and traditions of protest
chapter 1|14 pages
Fathers, sons, and grandsons
chapter 3|20 pages
Why ‘two Russias’ are less than ‘United Russia’
chapter 4|22 pages
Are copycats subversive?
chapter 6|15 pages
Even the toys are demanding free elections
part II|123 pages
Artistic and performative forms of protest