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The Rhetorical Rise and Demise of Democracy in Russian Political Discourse

Louis Hayes

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Published in The Rhetorical Rise And Demise Of Democracy In Russian Political Discourse Vol I: The Path From Disaster Toward Russian Democracy

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The concept of democracy has a long and complex history in Russian political thought. In the early 20th century, democracy was seen as a key component of Russia's modernization process. However, the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 led to the establishment of a one-party state that suppressed all forms of political dissent. As a result, the concept of democracy was largely absent from Russian political discourse for much of the Soviet period.

The Rhetorical Rise and Demise of “Democracy” in Russian Political Discourse, Vol I: The Path from Disaster toward Russian “Democracy”

by Marilyn J. Young

4.8 out of 5

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After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, democracy was once again embraced as a key goal for Russia. However, the transition to democracy has been a difficult and uneven process. In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards authoritarianism in Russia, and the concept of democracy has once again come under attack.

The Rhetorical Rise of Democracy in Russian Political Discourse

The origins of democracy in Russian political discourse can be traced back to the early 19th century. At this time, a number of Russian intellectuals began to argue that Russia needed to adopt a more democratic form of government in order to modernize and compete with the West. These intellectuals were inspired by the Enlightenment ideas of individual liberty, equality, and popular sovereignty.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the concept of democracy was taken up by a wider range of political actors, including liberals, socialists, and nationalists. These groups all agreed that Russia needed to become a more democratic society, but they had different ideas about what this would mean in practice.

The February Revolution of 1917 led to the establishment of a provisional government that was committed to democratic principles. However, the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 put an end to this experiment in democracy. The Bolsheviks established a one-party state that suppressed all forms of political dissent.

The Rhetorical Demise of Democracy in Russian Political Discourse

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, democracy was once again embraced as a key goal for Russia. The new Russian constitution adopted in 1993 guaranteed a number of democratic rights and freedoms, including freedom of speech, assembly, and association.

However, the transition to democracy has been a difficult and uneven process. In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards authoritarianism in Russia. This trend has been accompanied by a decline in the use of democratic rhetoric by political leaders.

There are a number of reasons for the decline of democratic rhetoric in Russian political discourse. One reason is that the Russian government has increasingly cracked down on dissent. This has made it more difficult for opposition groups to organize and express their views. Another reason is that the Russian media has become increasingly controlled by the government. This has limited the public's access to information about alternative political views.

The Future of Democracy in Russia

The future of democracy in Russia is uncertain. The current trend towards authoritarianism is a serious threat to democratic institutions. However, there are still a number of people in Russia who are committed to the ideals of democracy. These people are working to promote democratic values and to build a more democratic society.

The future of democracy in Russia will depend on the outcome of this struggle. If the forces of democracy are able to prevail, then Russia has the potential to become a truly democratic society. However, if the forces of authoritarianism are able to consolidate their power, then Russia will likely continue to slide towards dictatorship.

The concept of democracy has a long and complex history in Russian political discourse. In the early 20th century, democracy was seen as a key component of Russia's modernization process. However, the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 led to the establishment of a one-party state that suppressed all forms of political dissent. As a result, the concept of democracy was largely absent from Russian political discourse for much of the Soviet period.

The Rhetorical Rise and Demise of “Democracy” in Russian Political Discourse, Vol I: The Path from Disaster toward Russian “Democracy”

by Marilyn J. Young

4.8 out of 5