The Quest for an Ideal Youth in Putin´s Russia I

This important book analyzes the dubious role of the so-called Democratic Antifascist Youth Movement ''Nashi'' in contemporary Russia. Part and parcel of the Putinist project of political stabilization, Nashi dominates state-sponsored youth politics in Russia, communicating demands from official discourse to a young audience. Idealizing the past, present, and future of Putin''s Russia, Nashi mobilized young Russians through its emotional appeal, skillful use of symbolic politics and the promise for professional self-realization. However, the movement''s impact remains limited - mostly due to its internal contradictions.Based on original and meticulous research, Ivo Mijnssen skillfully picks apart the dynamics underlying Nashi''s influence and furthers a deeper understanding of state-sponsored youth politics in early 21st century Russia.