Abstract: Abstract The first study of the everydayness of political life under Stalin, this book examines Soviet citizenship through common practices of expressing Soviet identity in the public space. The Stalinist state understood citizenship as practice, with participation in a set of political rituals and public display of certain "civic emotions" serving as the marker of a person's inclusion in the political world. Relations between the state and its citizens were structured by rituals of celebration, thanksgiving, and hatred—rites that required both political awareness and a demonstrable emotional response. Yet, the population also often imbued these ceremonies—elections, state holidays, parades, mass rallies, subscriptions to state bonds—with different meanings: as a popular fête, an occasion to get together after work, a chance to purchase goods not available on other days, and even as an opportunity to indulge in some drinking. The people also understood these political rituals as moments of negotiation whereby citizens fulfilling their "patriotic duty" expected the state to reciprocate by providing essential services and basic social welfare. The book is set in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv during the last one and a half years of World War II and immediate postwar years, the period best demonstrating how formulaic rituals could create space for the people to express their concerns, fears, and prejudices, as well as their eagerness to be viewed as citizens in good standing. By the end of Stalin's rule, a more ossified routine of political participation developed, which persisted until the Soviet Union's collapse.
Publication Year: 2014
Publication Date: 2014-08-21
Language: en
Type: book
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 17
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