Elizaveta Gaufman Books

Countless analyses of Russia’s actions focus on Putin to understand the military situation in Ukraine, hostility towards the U.S., and disdain for Europe. This book encourages readers to look beyond him and explore the online lives of millions of Russians. It shifts the focus from identifying threats to understanding how digital Russia perceives them. The author investigates how enemy images are created, threats exaggerated, stereotypes revived, memories implanted, and fears exploited. The legacy of the Soviet Union is examined in shaping discussions about issues like the Ukraine crisis and the Pussy Riots trial, highlighting the interplay between governmental enemy imagery and public articulation. By integrating international relations, memory studies, visual studies, and big data, the book explores why securitization succeeds or fails. It presents a unique perspective, moving beyond traditional top-down analyses to capture the contributions of various social groups to securitized narratives. The work combines in-depth analysis of the Ukraine crisis in Russian digital media with discourse theory, offering insights into when security threats resonate with audiences. This innovative approach makes it a compelling read for those interested in the dynamics of perception and securitization in contemporary Russia.

Focusing on grassroots politics in Russia, the book challenges traditional views of international relations by emphasizing the role of the general population in interpreting key foreign policy concepts. It explores how ordinary citizens engage with and respond to issues like sanctions, wars, and diplomacy, highlighting their impact on the broader political landscape. This approach provides a fresh perspective on the dynamics of power and public perception in the context of Russia's international relations.