The Use of Gender Norms in Russian Politics (Research Brief)

This project explores the gendered ways in which political youth organizations voice their criticism of and support for the Putin-centered regime that began ruling Russia at the turn of the twenty-first century. My interviews and research explore the ways that youth activists on both sides of the Kremlin (pro- and anti-regime), as well as political actors within the regime itself, have chosen to wield traditional concepts of femininity and masculinity as tools in their political organizing efforts. Exploration of this subject sheds light not only on the use of gender norms as a legitimation strategy employed by regimes in power and by their political opponents, but also on the strength and fragility of the Russian regime in particular as it finds itself challenged by an increasingly mobilized political opposition.

Valerie Sperling, of Clark University, was a 2012-2013 Short-Term Travel Grants (STG) fellow.