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Market meets nationalism : making entrepreneurial state subjects in post-Soviet Russia
Journal
Nationalities Papers
ISSN
0090-5992
ISSN-Digital
1465-3923
Type
journal article
Date Issued
2011-11-24
Author(s)
Mueller, Martin
Abstract
This paper argues that nationalism and neoliberalism should not be considered as
conflicting ideologies, but can enter into a productive association. This association
creates an entrepreneurial nationalism that people can actively embrace as selfgoverning subjects in pursuit of a good life and successful career, rather than as subjects governed through state-mandated projects from above. The paper illustrates this argument with material from nine months of fieldwork at a Russian elite university. While students at that university strive to develop their potential and increase their market value to be successful in the competition for the best jobs, they also emphasize that developing themselves is not antithetical to serving Russia and being true to one's country. On the contrary, advancing Russia and advancing one's own career are articulated as two sides of the same coin. At the same time, the Russian nationalist project is reframed in entrepreneurial terms: making the Russian nation strong is about developing its potential and raising its competitiveness in the global marketplace.
conflicting ideologies, but can enter into a productive association. This association
creates an entrepreneurial nationalism that people can actively embrace as selfgoverning subjects in pursuit of a good life and successful career, rather than as subjects governed through state-mandated projects from above. The paper illustrates this argument with material from nine months of fieldwork at a Russian elite university. While students at that university strive to develop their potential and increase their market value to be successful in the competition for the best jobs, they also emphasize that developing themselves is not antithetical to serving Russia and being true to one's country. On the contrary, advancing Russia and advancing one's own career are articulated as two sides of the same coin. At the same time, the Russian nationalist project is reframed in entrepreneurial terms: making the Russian nation strong is about developing its potential and raising its competitiveness in the global marketplace.
Language
English
Keywords
nationalism
patriotism
education
neoliberalism
subjectivation
Russia
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
HSG Profile Area
SHSS - Kulturen, Institutionen, Maerkte (KIM)
Refereed
Yes
Publisher
Carfax Publicatons
Publisher place
Levitton, PA
Volume
39
Number
3
Start page
393
End page
408
Pages
16
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
207420