Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation has witnessed a marked and progressive increase of extreme right-wing ideology, which has led to violent interethnic clashes, terrorism, outspoken government officials calling for neo-imperialist expansion, and as some would argue – war. Along with Russia’s relative prosperity and stability following Vladimir Putin’s rise to power at the turn of the century, Putin has gained strong widespread support and will surely be re-elected in March 2012. However, the Russian government under Putin has indirectly allowed for the evolution of an extreme right-wing movement through its policies and lack of action toward preventing attacks. Nevertheless, it is generally accepted that Putin is not responsible for creating or orchestrating a movement that has in many cases been responsible for lethal violence.
It was in 2004 that the Russian Federation experienced the most dramatic increase in militant hate crimes on non-Russian ethnic groups with 215 people injured and 49 killed. Following this, 414 were injured and 47 killed in 2005, and 485 injured and 54 killed in 2006 (Varga, 2008). These findings demonstrate the rapid growth in support of such hate groups, or at least the frequency of attacks and demonstrations. This suggests that the continued rise of xenophobic hate crimes is not likely to lose momentum. The factors that have played a part in developing the spread of far right ideology include political parties, radical individuals within government, and nationalist groups and associations.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Historical Context of Russian Nationalism
3. Factors Contributing to Xenophobia
4. Far Right-Wing Political Movements
5. Violence and Militancy
6. Conclusion and Future Outlook
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the rise of contemporary far right-wing extremism in the Russian Federation, exploring the underlying causes of its emergence and the role of political entities in fostering these ideologies. It investigates the impact of xenophobic sentiments, particularly regarding ethnic minorities and migrants, and analyzes the government's stance under Vladimir Putin in managing these complex social and political dynamics.
- Evolution of extreme right-wing ideology in post-Soviet Russia
- Impact of migration and ethnic conflict on national sentiment
- Role of political parties and radical movements in recruitment
- Institutional corruption and the prevalence of hate crimes
- Government strategies toward migration and integration
Excerpt from the Book
FAR RIGHT-WING EXTREMISM AND XENOPHOBIA IN CONTEMPORARY RUSSIA
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation has witnessed a marked and progressive increase of extreme right-wing ideology, which has led to violent interethnic clashes, terrorism, outspoken government officials calling for neo-imperialist expansion, and as some would argue – war. Along with Russia’s relative prosperity and stability following Vladimir Putin’s rise to power at the turn of the century, Putin has gained strong widespread support and will surely be re-elected in March 2012. However, the Russian government under Putin has indirectly allowed for the evolution of an extreme right-wing movement through its policies and lack of action toward preventing attacks. Nevertheless, it is generally accepted that Putin is not responsible for creating or orchestrating a movement that has in many cases been responsible for lethal violence.
It was in 2004 that the Russian Federation experienced the most dramatic increase in militant hate crimes on non-Russian ethnic groups with 215 people injured and 49 killed. Following this, 414 were injured and 47 killed in 2005, and 485 injured and 54 killed in 2006 (Varga, 2008). These findings demonstrate the rapid growth in support of such hate groups, or at least the frequency of attacks and demonstrations. This suggests that the continued rise of xenophobic hate crimes is not likely to lose momentum. The factors that have played a part in developing the spread of far right ideology include political parties, radical individuals within government, and nationalist groups and associations.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of the rise of right-wing extremism following the Soviet collapse and the subsequent increase in violent hate crimes in Russia.
2. Historical Context of Russian Nationalism: This section traces the roots of current extremist ideologies back to historical nationalist tendencies and the intellectual foundations provided by groups like Pamyat.
3. Factors Contributing to Xenophobia: This chapter analyzes the impact of the Chechen wars, immigration from Central Asia, and public perception of migrant communities on rising xenophobic attitudes.
4. Far Right-Wing Political Movements: This part details the role of political parties like the LDPR and ideological figures such as Alexander Dugin in influencing mainstream politics and supporting radical agendas.
5. Violence and Militancy: This section discusses the organization of skinhead gangs, paramilitary units, and the role of corruption in enabling violent acts against ethnic minorities.
6. Conclusion and Future Outlook: This final chapter synthesizes the findings and evaluates the potential for future state intervention and the likelihood of extremist surge under the current government.
Keywords
Russian Federation, Xenophobia, Far Right-wing Extremism, Vladimir Putin, Nationalism, Hate Crimes, Ethnic Minorities, LDPR, Neo-Nazism, Migration, Chechnya, Radicalization, Politics, Geopolitics, Eurasianism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research?
The research explores the emergence and growth of far right-wing extremist ideology in contemporary Russia, specifically focusing on its relationship with xenophobia and political entities.
What are the primary themes addressed?
Key themes include the impact of migration, the role of political parties in fueling nationalism, institutional corruption, and the influence of historical context on modern Russian extremist movements.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to analyze how extremist groups recruit and organize, how xenophobia is normalized in society, and to what extent the Russian government supports or combats these far-right ambitions.
What methodology is employed in this study?
The paper utilizes a secondary analysis of public opinion surveys, studies on hate crimes, and political analysis of contemporary events and leadership statements from the post-Soviet era up to 2012.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body covers historical roots of nationalism, the influence of the Levada Center's data on xenophobia, the political roles of Zhirinovsky and Dugin, and the prevalence of violence by skinhead groups.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Russian xenophobia, far right-wing extremism, ethnic violence, nationalist ideology, and the political climate under the United Russia party.
How does the author view the role of Vladimir Putin regarding extremism?
The author argues that while Putin is not directly responsible for creating these movements, his policies and selective actions have created an environment where such ideologies have been allowed to evolve and persist.
Is there evidence of institutional support for extremism?
The text suggests that there is a degree of "appeasement" toward the far-right, citing the presence of radical figures like Dugin within government circles and the allowance of Zhirinovsky’s activities.
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- Michael Kennedy (Autor:in), 2013, Far Right-Wing Extremism and Xenophobia in Contemporary Russia, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/268266
