Pynnöniemi Katri. Nexus of Patriotism and Militarism in Russia: A Quest for Internal Cohesion

Helsinki University Press, 2021. — 342 p.This edited volume explores patriotism and the growing role of militarism in today's Russia. During the last 20-year period, there has been a consistent effort in Russia to consolidate the nation and to foster a sense of unity and common purpose. To this end, Russian authorities have activated various channels, from educational programmes and youth organizations to media and popular culture. With the conflict in Ukraine, the manipulation of public sentiments - feeling of pride and perception of threat - has become more systemic. The traditional view of Russia being Other for Europe has been replaced with a narrative of enmity. The West is portrayed as a threat to Russia's historical-cultural originality while Russia represents itself as a country encircled by enemies. On the other hand, these state-led projects mixing patriotism and militarism are perceived sceptically by the Russian society, especially the younger generations.This volume provides new insights into the evolution of enemy images in Russia and the ways in which societal actors perceive official projections of patriotism and militarism in the Russian society. The contributors of the volume include several experts on Russian studies, contemporary history, political science, sociology, and media studies.Katri Pynnöniemi is an assistant professor at the University of Helsinki (Aleksanteri-institute) and holds Mannerheim Chair of Russian Security Studies. The joint professorship between the University of Helsinki and the National Defense University was established in August 2017. Pynnöniemi has published widely on the system change in Russia and on Russian foreign and security policy. Her current research deals with Russia's security policy and strategic thinking. Her latest publications include: Perceptions of hybrid war in Russia: means, targets and objectives identified in the Russian debate (co-authored with Minna Jokela), Cambridge Review of International Affairs (2020); Information-psychological warfare in Russian strategic thinking, in Handbook of Russian Security Policy (2019); Russia's National Security Strategy: Analysis of Conceptual Evolution at the Journal of Slavic Military Studies (2018).