Putin seeks historical revival: New Textbook for Russian Schools
A new textbook titled “My Family” will be introduced in Russian middle and high schools starting September 2025. The textbook, co-authored by Nina Ostanina, chair of the State Duma Committee for the Protection of the Family, aims to teach students “traditional moral values” and improve the demographic situation in the country.
Use of Domostroi
The textbook incorporates materials from the 16th-century “Domostroi,” a collection of rules for maintaining patriarchal domestic order. Domostroi was supposedly written by Sylvester, a monk-tutor of Czar Ivan the Terrible. The textbook quotes Domostroi, stating that husbands should teach their wives with love and exemplary instruction, and wives should submit to their husbands in all matters.
Implications of Using Domostroi
The use of Domostroi in the textbook has raised concerns, given its outdated and patriarchal views. The textbook’s emphasis on traditional values and patriarchal authority aligns with the Kremlin’s broader agenda of promoting a conservative and nationalist ideology.
Still on Putin seeks historical revival
Kremlin’s Politics of Neomedievalism
The Kremlin’s use of medieval Russian history and culture to justify current policies is part of a broader phenomenon known as “political neomedievalism.” This involves the selective reinterpretation of Russian history to promote a particular ideology and justify authoritarian policies.
Whitewashing Ivan the Terrible
The Kremlin’s promotion of Ivan the Terrible as a great statesman and devout Russian Orthodox Christian is a notable example of this phenomenon. Ivan’s reign was marked by brutal state terror, including the Oprichnina, a policy of repression and violence that resulted in the deaths of thousands of people.
Rehabilitation of Ivan and Stalin
The Kremlin’s rehabilitation of Ivan the Terrible and Stalin reflects a broader effort to promote a cult of strong leadership and national greatness. This narrative emphasizes the importance of state power and authority, while downplaying the importance of individual rights and freedoms.
Impact on Russian Society
The promotion of political neomedievalism and the rehabilitation of Ivan the Terrible and Stalin have significant implications for Russian society. It reflects a broader effort to undermine democratic values and promote a more authoritarian and nationalist ideology.
Conclusion
The introduction of the “My Family” textbook and the Kremlin’s promotion of political neomedievalism reflect a broader effort to shape Russian society and culture in line with a particular ideology. The use of medieval Russian history and culture to justify current policies raises concerns about the erosion of democratic values and the promotion of authoritarianism.
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