From Russia with love (eBook)

The world's first and only reference book on the mentality of the russian people

Albert Katz (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2025 | 1. Auflage
144 Seiten
Publishdrive (Verlag)
978-0-00-109866-4 (ISBN)

Infos

 This book has been waiting to be written for decades - not as a reaction to current events, but as an attempt to grasp what remains unchanged across eras: the deep cultural and psychological patterns that shape the behavior of an entire society.
 Here, for the first time, a systematic framework is offered for understanding the enduring traits of the Russian mentality - not as a 'national character,' but as a complex system of attitudes transmitted through historical experience, behavioral models, responses to crisis, and modes of collective survival.
 These patterns did not emerge yesterday. They are rooted in the specificities of social organization, past upheavals, and long-standing strategies for preserving cohesion - and they continue to influence how people perceive authority, the outside world, and the boundaries of the acceptable.
 The reader will find not judgments, but a tool for understanding:
 - why the same historical scenarios replay themselves in new contexts,
 - how certain forms of unity and authority remain stable even in the age of globalization,
 - why information circulating within society resonates not because it is 'imposed,' but because it aligns with preexisting mental frameworks,
 - and why, for many, the stability of the system is not an illusion, but the result of an internal logic forged over generations.
 The book is grounded in a personal fifty-year experience of living within this cultural space. Its structure is not dry theory, but living narrative: every analysis is accompanied by personal stories, observations, and reflections - always returning to the core question: what makes these patterns endure?
 This is anthropology in action: deeply tied to history, filtered through personal destiny, rigorously anchored in fact.
 After engaging with the foundations presented here, you will be able to:
 - reinterpret current events through a new lens,
 - recognize the logic underlying decisions and reactions,
 - and, if you choose, anticipate responses to future developments - not as 'Russian behavior,' but as expressions of deeply ingrained cultural patterns.
I deliberately avoid political language and value judgments. The focus is on behavioral patterns common across broad segments of society - without personification, without sweeping statements like 'everyone' or 'no one,' without offense.
 My goal is not to convince, but to provide a tool. The conclusions are yours to draw.
 The book is wholly sincere. Substantive. Concise.
 It is the first of its kind: an attempt to create a living reference on the cultural psychology of Russian society - not from the outside, but from within, through five decades of lived experience.
 The insights here do not 'simmer like water in a boiling pot.' They have already spilled outward - in actions, decisions, silence, and consent.
 This book is not a verdict. Not an exoneration.
 It is an attempt to understand the mechanism - so we may stop fearing the unknown, and begin to see what is, in fact, patterned.
 For all who seek not righteousness - but the foundational truths that make understanding possible.

Textauszug

Chapter Two. Staples.

In the modern world, the concept of “fasteners” is not just words or traditions. They are those invisible threads that bind society together, create a sense of unity and stability. In Russia, these fasteners have a special history, deep roots and complex influence on the development of the country. They served as a support in difficult times, but often turned into shackles that hindered development and progress.

What happens when these pillars begin to hinder development? When they turn from tools of unification into shackles that hold the country back from moving forward? About this further...

The origins of Russian fasteners go back to ancient times. Over the centuries, Russia has been shaped by many factors - geographic isolation, religion, monarchical power, and the struggle for survival. These factors created a unique system of values, which for a long time served as the basis of national identity.

Since ancient times, the Russian Orthodox Church has acted not only as a spiritual leader, but also as a guardian of traditions and national identity. The church created a sense of unity around common values - faith, morals, traditions. Remember the military campaigns and the fight against foreigners - the church was not only a spiritual authority, but also a political tool. In the era of tsarism, it actively supported power, justifying it by its divine origin. During the Soviet era the church was suppressed, but after the collapse of the USSR it again became a powerful tool for the formation of the national idea.

Religion served not only as a spiritual support, but also as a tool to unite the people under the banner of a single faith. Faith was also used to justify violence and expansion.

The Russian tsar or emperor was a symbol of the unity of the country. His power was reinforced by the idea of divine origin - “the Tsar is God on earth”. This created a cult of personality and absolute loyalty of the people to the power. An example of this is the era of Catherine the Great or Nicholas II. The power used this cult to suppress any protests and criticism.

Villages and small towns had their own customs and rituals that united people around common holidays and rituals. For example, Shrovetide or Ivan Kupala are not just holidays, but tools of social cohesion. But, often these traditions were used to reinforce conservative views and resistance to change.

These principles formed a unique system of values - the so-called “staples” that helped the country survive in difficult times - wars, revolutions, economic crises. They created the illusion of stability where it had not existed for a long time.

Tatiana and Modern Patriotism

Tatiana is a young teacher from a small town. At school, she was assigned to teach a lesson about Russia's great history. She prepared a presentation with photos of the heroic pages of the country's past - victories in wars, achievements in science and culture.

During the lesson one of the students asked - "Why is everything so bad now? Why do people go abroad? Why don't we have good roads or jobs?" Tatiana thought for a moment. She felt inside a strong desire to justify her country and show its greatness.

But, at the same time, she knew the real problems - corruption, poverty, distrust of the authorities. Inside there was a struggle between the desire to be proud of Russia and the realization that the country needed change.

At the end of the lesson Tatyana told the students - "We should love our Motherland not only for its glorious pages of the past, but also for what we can do today. True patriotism is not just words about a great country, but actions to improve it."

Tatiana could not say otherwise. All her life at school and institute she had been taught how to live and what to conform to. In addition, she, like all teachers, was supervised by a supervisory body from the Russian government....

Russia has always valued continuity - from grandmothers with their folk customs to tsarist decrees. New things were perceived with caution. Change had to come slowly or was forbidden altogether. For example, Peter the Great's attempts at reform met with resistance from the boyars and the church. The revolution of 1917 destroyed the old way of life only to replace it with a new authoritarianism.

Collectivism is the most important quality - the ability to stick together for the common good. The family, the community, the country - all are one. This principle helped to survive in harsh conditions - the famine of the 1930s or the blockade of Leningrad during World War II. But, it also turned into a mechanism for suppressing individuality - personal ambition was considered a betrayal.

Many principles emerged as a reaction to internal crises (the economic turmoil of the 1990s), external threats (NATO expansion), and as a way to strengthen national identity in the face of change. The authorities used these ideas to legitimize their decisions and strengthen their control over society.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia faced the challenges of a new era - globalization, technological progress, and changing values. In response, a new version of staples emerged - more politicized and ideologized.

Dmitri and the imposed idea

Dmitri is a young man from a small town. At school he was constantly indoctrinated that Russia is the greatest country, that all foreigners are enemies, and that any ideas about criticizing the government are treasonous. His parents and teachers told him to be proud of his country at all costs.

Over time, Dmitri began to notice that many of his peers were afraid to voice their opinions or ask questions about the country's problems. He saw how people silently tolerate corruption, injustice and poor living conditions because "that's the way it's supposed to be" and "you can't do otherwise".

One day he decided to write a post on social media about the need for reform and the fight against corruption. Soon he was summoned to school and warned - "You are violating our traditions and national pride. The country's internal security systems may be interested in you and your family." Dmitri realized - in the system of values imposed on him from childhood, there is room only for unconditional loyalty. Criticism is considered betrayal.

Modern staples include such ideas as belief in the greatness of Russia as a great power, traditional values - family as the foundation of society, belief in Orthodoxy, respect for history and culture. Also important is the idea of the need for a strong government to protect the country from external threats and the creation of an enemy image (the West or internal traitors) to rally society around the government.

These staples emerged as a reaction to internal crises and external threats, and as a way to strengthen national identity in the face of change. Power used these ideas to legitimize its decisions and consolidate control.

Despite its role as a unifier in difficult times, modern Russian scruples have their dark sides.

When state ideology becomes the only correct point of view, there is a danger of suppressing opinions. People are afraid to express doubts or alternative ideas, otherwise they will be accused of betrayal or anti-state activity. This is exemplified by the persecution of oppositionists for criticizing the government, the closure of independent media, and pressure on activists.

The desire to preserve traditional values sometimes turns into resistance to change to the point of absurdity - refusal to modernize education or medicine under the pretext of “traditional values”, ignoring the need for reforms for the sake of preserving the status quo.

This hinders the development of innovations - the country remains in place or even degrades in comparison with Western countries. For example, the mass closure of scientific institutes under the Soviet regime was replaced by inactivity of modern science due to the fear of losing “traditional foundations”.

Images of external enemies (the West) or internal traitors strengthen nationalist sentiments to the point of absurdity - any protest against the authorities is declared “betrayal of the Motherland”, and criticism is a manifestation of weakness or betrayal of the country's interests. This leads to isolationism - Russia closes itself off from the world instead of integrating and developing.

Elena and patriotism on the verge of fanaticism

Elena is a woman from the province. She is very proud of her country and often participates in patriotic events. But, over time, she has noticed that many people around her begin to take criticism as a personal insult. Any remark about problems - for example, about poverty or lack of freedom is perceived as a betrayal of the Motherland.

Once at a rally Elena made a speech about the need to unite and love the country. But, after that, she began to write accusations of "betrayal" and "insufficient love for the Motherland" and threats on social networks. She began to be considered "unpatriotic" for speaking out about the need for change.

She realized - under the rigid concept of "fasteners" many people lose the ability to think critically and perceive any alternative as a threat to national identity. This creates an atmosphere of fear and suppression of opinions...

Many modern manifestations of Russian scrupulosity look ridiculous.

Patriotism without...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 8.11.2025
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften
• ISBN-10: 0-00-109866-7 / 0001098667
• ISBN-13: 978-0-00-109866-4 / 9780001098664