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The Years of Stagnation and the Poodles of Power
Adam Curtis writes about how rock and punk music helped bring about the downfall of the Soviet Union, led to a resurgence of right populism, and ultimately became propagandists for the technocratic oligarchy that is Russia today.
A lengthy (~4,800 words), but fascinating, tour through Russia's popular and avante garde music scene from the spooky story of Dean Reed in the 1970s through to the shadowy Vladislav Surkov, leader of the quasi-military nationalist youth group Nashi and sometimes lyricist for the rock group Agata Kristi. Lots of archival video is included, although you don't necessarily have to watch it all to understand Curtis' story -- it just adds to the fun.
Surkov created a modern and innovative way of managing the new democratic system - but in a way that his critics say has sidelined the mass of the people and completely diminished real democracy.
To do this Surkov created a constantly shifting political tableau. As well as being one of the architects of Putin's own party, United Russia, Surkov also allegedly helped to set up opposition parties the Kremlin could then use for their own purposes. And he copied Eduard Limonov - he set up a quasi-military nationalist youth group called Nashi.
Nashi claims to be an "anti-oligarchic, anti-fascist movement" but members have reportedly compared themselves to the Hitler Youth. And the Kremlin allegedly uses them to beat up opposition journalists.
At the same time Surkov writes lyrics for a rock group called Agata Kristi and essays on conceptual art.
A TV journalist who worked in Soviet television called Peter Pomerantsev has written a fascinating article about Surkov. You can find it here. In it he argues that Surkov has turned Russian politics into postmodern absurdist theatre. In a way, just like Limonov, Surkov is adapting avant-garde ideas to this new political world.
Full story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/adamcurtis/2012/01/the_years_of_stagnation_and_th.html
To do this Surkov created a constantly shifting political tableau. As well as being one of the architects of Putin's own party, United Russia, Surkov also allegedly helped to set up opposition parties the Kremlin could then use for their own purposes. And he copied Eduard Limonov - he set up a quasi-military nationalist youth group called Nashi.
Nashi claims to be an "anti-oligarchic, anti-fascist movement" but members have reportedly compared themselves to the Hitler Youth. And the Kremlin allegedly uses them to beat up opposition journalists.
At the same time Surkov writes lyrics for a rock group called Agata Kristi and essays on conceptual art.
A TV journalist who worked in Soviet television called Peter Pomerantsev has written a fascinating article about Surkov. You can find it here. In it he argues that Surkov has turned Russian politics into postmodern absurdist theatre. In a way, just like Limonov, Surkov is adapting avant-garde ideas to this new political world.
"The novelist Eduard Limonov describes Surkov himself as having 'turned Russia into a wonderful postmodernist theatre, where he experiments with old and new political models'.
Full story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/adamcurtis/2012/01/the_years_of_stagnation_and_th.html
