THE POLITICS OF RESENTMENT

In: Journal of democracy, Band 5, Heft 2, S. 35-41

Abstract

THIS ARTICLE ARGUES THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE BLAMED (THE WORKING-CLASS IN RUSSIA) WANT TO BLAME BACK: THAT THERE IS IN RUSSIA AN ENORMOUS RESERVIOR OF FREE-FLOATING RESENTMENT THAT IS SEEKING AN OBJECT. THE DISCUSSION OF THE DECEMBER ELECTION HAS MISSED THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS LESS FASCIST POLITICS THAN THE ABSENCE OF ANY GENUINE POLITICS AT ALL. FASCISM YOU CAN FIGHT, BUT HOW DO YOU MAKE POLITICS APPEAR OUT OF NOWHERE? ZHIRINOVSKY HAS GIVEN THE DRIFTING RESENTMENTS OF ORDINARY RUSSIANS AN OUTLET. COMMUNISM WAS UNIQUE IN HUMAN HISTORY. IF SOMETHING TERRIBLE AND INHUMANE FOLLOWS IT, THAT SYSTEM WILL BE AS HARD TO RECOGNIZE AND AS HARD TO RESPOND TO, AS FASCISM WAS IN ITS TIME.