Barash R.E. Key Events and Lessons of Russian History in the Views and Assessments of the Contemporary Russians. Socium. 2025. Vol. 2. No. 2. P. 130-143.

Abstract

The article examines the perception of key events in Russian history by the citizens of the nowadays Russian and their impact on national identity, value orientations and attitudes towards the current political situation. The author claims that historical memory serves as the basis of national identity and a tool for consolidating society, especially in the face of external challenges (for example, the Special Military Operation, international isolation and sanctions), whereas the narrative of the national mobilization before the face of the external threats dominate dominates in the mass consciousness (Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the historical events since 2014). And the liberal reforms of the 1990s (Perestroika, transition to a market economy) are perceived as the least significant. So, after 2022, in the official political discourse historical memory has become a key element of the national ideology, minimizing the importance of globalization and emphasizing mobilization scenarios of the past. And under the influence of official discourse and international isolation the Russia’s public opinion reoriented on the distinctive path of the national development.

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