During the course of the twentieth century, the Soviet Union rose and fell, and Russia re-emerged. The Russians were left “feeling robbed of a sense of place, of purpose and of identity” . By the mid-1990’s, Russia, while contending with the ups and downs of economic crisis and the health of its leaders, was trying to find its own course, attempting to resurrect past glories, learn from recent mistakes, and forge a place in a community of nations. Together with society, youth was going through a period of change in its ideological, economic and moral values. According to Martha Olcott, “it was Russian youth, who seemed to suffer disproportionately from the numerous social disorders in the USSR at the end of the decade”. Ilynsky talks about the widespread moral decay in Russia in the 1990’s and the lack of direction among many young people – “their poor understanding of freedom, lack of faith in politicians, growing sense of injustice and general concerns about what the future might bring”.
Russian identity is and has been a topic of continual argument, of conflicting claims, competing images, contradictory criteria. According to S. Franklin, “Russia is continually represented as a question, a field of possibilities, a set of contradictions”. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 even more intensified self-questioning in the “new” Russia started. Usually, such questions have been posed by the young population of Russia who happened to live in the period of global economic and ideological transitions. What kind of country is Russia to be? What has happened to young people in the post-Communist phase? The focus of this paper is how the changing economic, political and social geography of Russia affected the youth since the fall of communism in 1991. I will reflect upon the typical portrait and particular features of the post-Soviet youth. My research question is as follow: “What images, sentiments, and obligations do young Russians attribute to their homeland, and how do these contribute to an understanding of their notions of ethnicity, patriotism, and nationalism?”
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Chapter I: Value system and patriotism in post-Soviet Russia
3. Chapter II: From future with love: case study on the youth portrayed in the film “We are from the future”
3.1 Plot line of the film
4. Concluding remarks
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines how the significant economic, political, and social transformations in Russia following the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union have influenced the values, identity, and worldviews of the younger generation. The primary research question explores what images, sentiments, and obligations young Russians attribute to their homeland and how these factors shape their concepts of ethnicity, patriotism, and nationalism.
- The impact of post-Soviet socio-economic instability on youth identity.
- The crisis of traditional values and the emergence of extremist or pragmatic subcultures.
- The role of national memory and World War II in shaping modern patriotism.
- A case study of the film "We are from the future" as a pedagogical tool for youth engagement.
Extract from the Book
Plot line of the film
Four military trophy hunters dig out old battlefields looking for World War II medals, documents and arms to sell, making a fortune on the deaths of their heroic ancestors. It is a profitable, but dangerous business. One night, something weird begins to happen: among the bones of the dead soldiers in a destroyed blindage, they find old documents with their names and photographs. Trying to wash out these weird incidents, they jump into a lake and find themselves in the year 1942, in the middle of the fierce battles. They happen to be in a disposition of the Soviet army absolutely naked and declare that they are “from the future”. They are not being executed. Instead, they are given clothes and weapons into hands. All heroes will have to go through tough trials by war and the time, in order to realize and reappraise their political and world views. They must take part in heavy bombardment, go through psychological struggles. Only after tremendous struggles and psychological trials, will they be forgiven and allowed to come back to present.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides a contextual overview of the identity crisis faced by post-Soviet Russia and sets the research focus on the experiences and values of the younger generation.
Chapter I: Value system and patriotism in post-Soviet Russia: Analyzes the collapse of Soviet-era values, the resulting "spiritual vacuum," and the rise of both nationalist tendencies and extreme pragmatism among the youth.
Chapter II: From future with love: case study on the youth portrayed in the film “We are from the future”: Uses a contemporary film as a case study to investigate how collective memory and historical patriotism can be used to re-engage young Russians with their national identity.
Concluding remarks: Summarizes the challenges of youth integration in a fractured society and emphasizes the necessity of state investment in the younger generation to secure the nation's future.
Keywords
Post-Soviet Russia, Russian youth, national identity, patriotism, value crisis, Soviet collapse, nationalism, historical memory, political apathy, social stratification, World War II, modernization, ideological transition, youth subcultures, pragmatism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the social and political transformation of Russia after 1991 and how these profound changes have affected the identity and values of the young generation.
What is the central research question?
The research asks what images, sentiments, and obligations young Russians attach to their homeland and how these perceptions contribute to their understanding of ethnicity, patriotism, and nationalism.
Which specific themes are covered in the work?
Key themes include the destruction of Soviet-era ideals, the "spiritual vacuum" in modern Russia, the impact of economic instability on youth, and the role of national pride in shaping future perspectives.
What research methodology is employed?
The author utilizes an analytical approach, combining historical and sociological perspectives with a specific case study of the feature film "We are from the future" to examine contemporary youth attitudes.
What does the main body of the text address?
The body discusses the transition from the USSR to the "new" Russia, the proliferation of informal youth subcultures, the disillusionment of the post-Soviet generation, and the potential for reviving patriotism through historical remembrance.
How would you characterize the keywords of this work?
The keywords are centered around identity, post-Soviet transition, sociology of youth, and the historical consciousness of Russia.
How does the author characterize the modern young population in Russia?
The author describes them as having been disillusioned by the collapse of a total system, noting that many have become overly pragmatic and indifferent to traditional political activities.
What significance is attributed to the film "We are from the future"?
The film is presented as a symbolic bridge that helps contemporary, often indifferent youth reconnect with the sacrifices of their ancestors, thereby potentially serving as a tool for reviving patriotic sentiment.
What conclusion does the author draw regarding the state's responsibility?
The author concludes that Russia must actively integrate youth into social life and invest in them, as they represent the prime value and the source of future innovation for the nation.
- Quote paper
- M.A. Arts Nadia Ptashchenko (Author), 2008, Young people in post-Soviet Russia, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/133272
