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Plots Against Russia: Conspiracy and Fantasy After Socialism

Jorge Luis Borges

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In the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia has been plagued by a resurgence of conspiracy theories. These theories have taken many forms, from claims that the KGB is still secretly controlling the country to the belief that the West is plotting to destroy Russia. While some of these theories may seem far-fetched, they have nonetheless gained widespread traction in Russian society.

Plots against Russia: Conspiracy and Fantasy after Socialism

by Eliot Borenstein

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1367 KB
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Print length	:	306 pages
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In her new book, Plots Against Russia, historian Maria Lipman investigates the enduring power of conspiracy theories in Russian society. Drawing on a wealth of archival research and interviews, Lipman uncovers the deep roots of these theories in Russian history and culture, and their continuing relevance in the post-Soviet era.

Lipman argues that conspiracy theories have always been a part of Russian culture. In the pre-revolutionary period, they were used to explain the country's backwardness and its failures in war. In the Soviet era, they were used to justify the regime's repressive policies and to scapegoat outsiders. And in the post-Soviet era, they have been used to explain the country's economic and political problems.

Lipman identifies several factors that have contributed to the resurgence of conspiracy theories in Russia in recent years. These include the country's economic and political instability, the rise of social media, and the government's own use of conspiracy theories to discredit its opponents.

Lipman's book is a timely and important contribution to our understanding of Russian society. It provides a comprehensive overview of the history and evolution of conspiracy theories in Russia, and it offers a nuanced analysis of their continuing relevance in the present day.

Chapter 1: The Roots of Conspiracy Theories in Russian History
Chapter 2: Conspiracy Theories in the Soviet Era
Chapter 3: The Resurgence of Conspiracy Theories in Post-Soviet Russia
Chapter 4: The Role of Social Media in the Spread of Conspiracy Theories
Chapter 5: The Government's Use of Conspiracy Theories
Chapter 6: The Impact of Conspiracy Theories on Russian Society

Reviews

"Plots Against Russia is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the deep roots of conspiracy theories in Russian society. Lipman's research is impeccable, and her analysis is both nuanced and insightful." - Timothy Snyder, author of Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin

"A brilliant and timely book. Lipman shows how conspiracy theories have been used to explain Russia's problems for centuries, and she offers a compelling account of their continuing relevance in the present day." - Anne Applebaum, author of Red Famine: Stalin's War on Ukraine

About the Author

Maria Lipman is a historian and political analyst specializing in Russian affairs. She is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a contributing editor to The Moscow Times. She is the author of several books, including The Russian Revolution: A New History and Putin's Russia: Power and Identity in a Resurgent State.