Space, place, and power in modern Russia

Description

Exploring the creation, transformation, and imagination of Russian space as a lens through which to understand Russia's development from the 18th century to the present, this volume makes an important contribution to Russian studies and the "new spatial history." Scholars have long appreciated space as an important factor in understanding Russia, thanks in part to Russia's geopolitical position as the largest country in the world: both a part of Europe and distinct from it. The new spatial history treats space not only as an objectively existing physical reality but also as something subjective and culturally produced. Space her is considered both an arena for historical activity and a critical element of this activity, at once shaping history and being shaped by it. Moreover, psychological processes of cognition and perception play a critical role in rendering space meaningful to the societies or groups that occupy it. The ten essays in this volume are organized along two thematic lines: the general problem of space and power and the valorization of space in the broader process of constructing and negotiating group identities, both social and national. With topics ranging from geopolitical perspectives to intimate personal stories, from the profanation of sacred landscapes to displays of power in the ballroom floor, this collection should be of interest to undergraduates, cultural historians, and historical geographers, as well as specialists on Russia.