The writer Victor Erofeyev has published an opinion article in the New York Times commenting about what motivations Russians to embrace a familiar if ugly past instead of imagining a reformed future. His expression of support here echoes what he wrote in Feb. 2008, calling Medvedev Russia's "last hope."In any case, I -- for all my skepticism about any Kremlin initiative -- declare my support for Mr. Medvedev, because, ladies and gentlemen, we have hit bottom. It all began with the Kremlin's declaration, not long before the financial crisis, that Russia is rising from its knees. But a large body needs help to get up. In this case, the chosen instrument of assistance was imperial crutches. But where were they to be found? All the neighboring countries of the former U.S.S.R. not only declined to serve as crutches, but, like children during a school break, ran away (for the most part toward Europe).
Instead of seizing the initiative and turning West itself, Russia took offense and turned in on itself. And there it found a large stock of old ideas: Orthodox dreams of a chaste civilization, ultra-right nationalism at times bordering on fascism. A virtual return to the U.S.S.R. -- and to Stalin -- were unavoidable.
These were the crutches it grabbed. This may not be comprehensible to the West. There, it might seem that a return to the past has no prospects or logic. But a significant number of Russians are rushing backward because they see nothing good in the future. This is understandable emotionally: Only in the past, as in the womb, is it warm and safe; only in the past are there symbols and victories that people can understand.
And so, nationalism in Russia has assumed unprecedented dimensions. It has permeated major television channels, many newspapers, government organs and intellectual collectives. Attacking those who disagree has come to be encouraged. Informing on or smearing opponents has become common. Witch hunts have proliferated not only through politics, but also through culture.
