Presentation of the Book 'The Russian Myth'
During an interview with political scientist Yuriy Romanenko, historian and analyst Oleg Cheslavsky presented his book titled 'The Russian Myth'. In the discussion, Cheslavsky argued that a so-called 'economy of death' has taken shape in the Russian Federation, where the population's loyalty is bought with money. He emphasized that this situation is not merely ideological but has concrete economic foundations. This analysis provides a stark look at the internal mechanisms sustaining the current Russian state.
The conversation covered the Kremlin's strategy, Russia's resources, and the role of Ukraine as a threat to Putin's regime. Oleg Cheslavsky stressed that
"we must understand that Putin has created a system where loyalty is purchased for very specific sums of money."He also noted that
"when we talk about the 'Russian myth', we must understand it has always been based on the idea of self-sacrifice for some grand purpose. But now, that purpose has been monetized."
Death as a Rational Choice
Cheslavsky pointed out that in Russia, death has become 'a rational choice for a poor person'. In his words, 'if you live in a depressed region where you have no prospects and your salary is pennies, then an army contract becomes your only lottery ticket'. He gave examples where 'either you return with money you could never earn in a lifetime, or your family receives death benefits that allow them to buy an apartment or a car'.
He also noted that Russia is attempting to build its own 'world-system' independent of global institutions. 'They say: 'We don't need your dollar, we don't need your values, we will build our own world'. But this world is a world of the past,' Cheslavsky emphasized. He observed that this attempt to return to the Middle Ages is happening 'but with rockets and the internet'.
In the historian's view, the main resource is 'the patience of the people'. 'The Russian myth' posits that suffering is a virtue, and people are willing to endure sanctions and shortages because they see themselves as part of something 'great'. Putin, he said, 'very skillfully uses historical traumas' to support his policies.
Cheslavsky also stated that for Putin, Ukraine is not just territory but an existential threat to the 'Russian myth'. 'If Ukraine can build a successful democratic state, then Putin's entire construct will collapse,' the historian stressed. He remarked that Putin cannot allow Ukraine to become an example for Russians and is willing to 'burn his own country' to prevent it.
Concluding the discussion, Yuriy Romanenko noted that 'victory in this war depends on whose system proves stronger in the long term'. The video of the conversation is posted on YouTube under the title 'The Russian Myth: Will Ukraine or Putin Prevail. Oleg Cheslavsky, Yuriy Romanenko'.
This discussion underscores the importance of understanding the economic and social factors influencing modern Russia and its policies. Oleg Cheslavsky highlights how changes in the country's economy are forging new realities for the population, forcing people to seek risky paths to survival. Meanwhile, the question of how Ukraine's success as an independent democratic state could threaten the Putin regime grows increasingly relevant amid the ongoing war and geopolitical shifts in the region.