Monthly Archives: February 2017

Public rituals of catharsis are one of many ways in which the governing class can disperse and cement ideologies. The collective feeling of grief achieved through the 22nd Party Congress achieved this goal, while also effectively shutting out (most) dissent … Continue reading →

Various instigating circumstances throughout history have served as catalysts in triggering monumental reform or change. Every revolution emerges from a specific and irreproducible atmosphere, from a convergence of geographical, temporal, and sociopolitical factors that dictate its successes, repercussions, and future … Continue reading →

I was interested in the way that Lenin talks about terror in the Concept of the Revolutionary Party. Is it similar to modern notions of terrorism? No one thinks of themselves as a terrorist, but Lenin is emphatic in not … Continue reading →

Alexander II’s Manifesto Emancipating the Serfs begins “Called by Divine Providence…” (Cracraft, 340), using religion (and the supposed intervention of God) to legitimise his consequent actions. This is a familiar trope among Russian monarchs, as we have seen in Catherine’s Instruction … Continue reading →

“Any revolution which smacks of fanaticism; a violent revolution, a people’s revolution… merely destroys without creating anything new.” (pg. 246) To me, this quote is evident of a deep anxiety within the gentry and the political elite. The “Great Reforms” … Continue reading →

David Saunders appears to give most of the credit for the Decembrist revolt to the death of Alexander I, and the time of political confusion that arose from it. He references Baron Rosen’s belief that, “if the authorities had publicized … Continue reading →

Catherine’s views for Russia certainly lacked continuity. Particularly troubling was her establishment of the necessity of an absolute monarchy (Dmytryshyn, p. 80), and the exclusion serfs from her Legislative Commission (Madariaga, p. 35). The latter is especially confusing, given her apparent sympathy … Continue reading →