Motherland Soviet Nostalgia in the Russian Federation

This book explores the extent to which and the reasons why Russia’s citizens harbor feelings of nostalgia for the Soviet Union today. Based on the results of a nationwide survey and rigorous field research carried out within several of Russia’s regions, Dr. Sullivan uncovers material and cultural rationales for this sentiment of nostalgia – which poses both an opportunity and a challenge to the Russian government. With Russian nationalism and revanchism a resurgent force in contemporary global affairs, this detailed study will interest scholars of international relations and of populist authoritarianism around the world.

Charles J. Sullivan is a political scientist specializing in the politics of Russia, Central Asia, and the former Soviet Union region. Dr. Sullivan served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Nazarbayev University in Nur-Sultan, Republic of Kazakhstan (2014 to 2022).