№ 4 - 2014
Pain E.A., Prostakov S.A.
MULTI-FACETED RUSSIAN NATIONALISM Ideological and Political Versions (2010 2014)

Russian nationalism is one of the most mythologized currents in contemporary social and political life of Russia. People idealize or demonize it, but rarely adequately assess the variety of its ideological and organizational implications. The authors undertake an attempt to reflect the multi-dimensional various currents of Russian nationalism, as well as to analyze changes in their attitudes towards the authorities and other political forces in Russia. This study allowed a) to highlight, along with the nationalists, some other politically oriented groups of social networks’ users that are widespread in RuNet; b) to compare the political influence of different ideological and political trends; c) to assess, against this background, relative importance of nationalism. As a part of this research project, HSE has also conducted a sociological study (the Levada Center, March 2014), which characterized the scope of support for ideas and slogans of different ideological and political movements, previously identified by the authors in social networking systems outside the Russian Internet. The authors highlight the attitude of Russian nationalists towards “Crimean events,” which have been greeted by an overwhelming majority. However, the researchers note that Russian nationalists will not remain in the ranks of advocates of Russian authorities for a long time, although the reasons for discrepancies with the authorities in the future may differ for the grass-root and mass nationalist groups, on the one hand, and elite groups, on the other.