Books by Ivo Mijnssen

By exploring the significance of Hero Cities in Soviet identity and the enduring but conflicted importance they hold for Russians today, Russia's Hero Cities exposes how the Great Patriotic War no longer has the power to mask the deep rifts still present in Russian society.

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.