Open AccessHistorical Consciousness and Ideology at Turning Points in Russian History
Author(s) -
Natalia Narochnitskaya
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
perspektivy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2411-3417
DOI - 10.32726/2411-3417-2021-1-7-35
Subject(s) - intelligentsia , ideology , sovereignty , nihilism , consciousness , doctrine , national consciousness , conscience , victory , autocracy , state (computer science) , law , political economy , political science , sociology , politics , philosophy , democracy , epistemology , algorithm , computer science
The evolution of the historical consciousness of Russian society over two centuries shows its potential to play a destructive or a saving role in dramatic moments of history, when out the prime value of the national statehood continuum is challenged by outer or inner attacks. The Russian intelligentsia's maximalist “reception” of Marxism resulted into total nihilism and a zeal to sacrifice the statehood for the sake of world revolution. However, having started in 1917 with a radical overthrow of Russian history, the authorities reincorporated it into the Soviet doctrine on the eve of the World War II, which resurrected national feeling and unity and enabled victory in the mortal fight. New ideological but equally nihilistic maxims once again prevailed and lead inter alia to the second collapse of the state in 1991. Historical consciousness of contemporary society, especially of young generations, is particularly prone to rapid changes and alternative extremes in the era of information technologies, which confirms the crucial importance of historical education to maintain spiritual sovereignty and national conscience as its core.