Alexei Navalny

Question 1

How does Gudkov describe contemporary Russia?

Answer 1

A pseudototalitarian state

Question 2

Examples of elements of pseudototalitarianism

Answer 2

Bureaucracy, chronic poverty, terror

Lack of ideological consistency seen in traditional totalitarian regimes

Question 3

What does pseudototalitarianism in Russia show?

Answer 3

How authoritarianism mutates but persists

Question 4

Fromm

Answer 4

Authoritarianism doesn’t persist because people believe in its ideology, but because it eases anxieties

Question 5

Stalin’s memory in contemporary Russian history

Answer 5

2008 ‘Name of Russia’ contest- almost won

Question 6

Democracy in Russia

Answer 6

Potemkin democracy- elections with no real options, manipulation etc

Reveals performative nature of modern authoritarianism

Question 7

Controversial legacy?

Answer 7

Nationalist xenophobic views in earlier life?

Question 8

Ideology

Answer 8

Pro-democracy, anti-corruption

Question 9

Example of anti-corruption work

Answer 9

Investigation and exposure of Putin’s wealth

Question 10

Methods

Answer 10

Media bypassing restricition

Question 11

Navalny and Amnesty

Answer 11

POC then not, then POC

Question 12

Repression

Answer 12

Fabricated charges eg fraud, violation of parole

Question 13

International impact (2)

Answer 13

Face of Russian opposition
EU and US sanctions on Russia after poisoning