post-Soviet Research Articles

Jewish Community of Irkutsk in 1917 - the Late 1930s

The authors examine the history of the early Soviet period (1917 - late 1930s) of the Jewish community of Irkutsk, which by the beginning of the 20th century was the largest Jewish community in Siberia. The fate of the main choral synagogue, three houses of worship and rabbis. The source base for the study consisted of documents from the State Archives of the Russian Federation and the State Archives of the Irkutsk Region. The study also contains an analysis of legislative acts of the Soviet government, materials from periodicals published in Irkutsk. The authors came to the conclusion that the policy of the Soviet state in the field of religion led to fundamental changes in the situation of the Jewish community of Irkutsk. Its existence in the early Soviet period was fraught with numerous difficulties. It was at this time that the Jewish community of Irkutsk lost all movable and immovable property that previously belonged to it. At the same time, all Jewish organizations in the city were liquidated, and in 1939 the community finally ceased to exist.

Covid-19 Mortality Shock: Demographic and Economic Losses in Moldova

Abstract This contribution discusses the problem of Covid-19 demographic and economic losses in Moldova. Although the pandemic is now no longer in the headlines, it is essential to understand how severe it was in Southeastern Europe. To illustrate this, the present study uses the example of the Republic of Moldova as a country with relatively high excess mortality. The Covid-19 mortality pattern in Moldova appears typical for the Eastern European and post-Soviet countries, with a decline in life expectancy for 2020–2021 and a more substantial decline for women. One of the main explanations for this pattern is the failure of the vaccination campaign, partly due to the population’s lack of trust in the healthcare system. The National Transfer Accounts approach is suggested to estimate economic losses. As a reference country for comparing the pandemic losses in Moldova, the present study uses Serbia, which was also strongly affected by the pandemic.

FROM THE HISTORY OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DISCIPLINE «THE HISTORY OF UKRAINE» IN UNIVERSITIES OF THE USSR IN THE 1930S: METHODOLOGICAL ASPECT

The article examines the evolution of Soviet state policy in the field of higher historical education in the Ukrainian SSR in the 1930s on the basis of a previously unpublished archival document introduced into scientific circulation for the first time. On the basis of archival and published sources, the political, social and methodological conditions for the introduction of the discipline “History of Ukraine” are presented in the higher school of the Ukrainian SSR. The influence of the dynamics of the political development of the state on the theory and practice of studying the history of Ukraine is demonstrated. The ideological, political and methodological reasons that led to the introduction of the history of Ukraine as a special course are analyzed. The historical subjects of the discipline «The History of Ukraine” were primarily designed to illustrate the political, social and economic phenomena of the past for the benefit of the current modern events of the young socialist state. The main attention is paid to the consideration and analysis of the methodical aspect of the implemented discipline. The process of restoration of traditional forms and methods of teaching the historical discipline in universities was followed, which was accompanied by an increase in the role of the teacher in the educational process. The measures of the party-state leadership aimed at introducing the discipline «The History of Ukraine” in higher historical education are traced. It is noted that as a result of the long-term work of a large team of scientists, a curriculum was developed, which became a historical narrative in which the official position of the authorities on the main issues of national history was recorded, and at the same time an official reference point for scientists, teachers, educators, political workers, cultural figures. The documentary supplement contains the program on the history of Ukraine for the first year of teachers’ institutes for the summer session of 1938, the level of representativeness and archeographic elaboration of which is quite high, which in total significantly increases the scientific level of the factual basis of the conducted research.

SUCCESSFUL EXPERIENCE IN THE TREATMENT OF NEUROBRUCELLOSIS IN KAZAKHSTAN

Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection and therefore an important public health problem in the world. More than 0.5 million cases of brucellosis in humans are registered annually. Endemic areas for brucellosis include countries with developed animal husbandry. Kazakhstan is among the twenty-five countries with the highest incidence of brucellosis. Among the post-Soviet countries, Kazakhstan ranks second after Kyrgyzstan in the incidence of brucellosis. In recent years, 2500-3500 cases of human disease have been registered annually in the country, of which about 600 are children under the age of 14. The problem of brucellosis in Kazakhstan is caused by the agricultural orientation and prevalence of small cattle, which is the carrier of the most pathogenic Brucella melitensis. 42.2% of Kazakhstanis live in rural areas, and their main income is animal care. More than 85% of human brucellosis cases have been registered in 4 southern regions where animal husbandry (sheep breeding) is developed. Despite the long history of campaigns to combat brucellosis, Kazakhstan has not overcome this threat to public health. Brucellosis can affect many organs and systems. Complications of brucellosis are usually about 30 percent. Neurological damage occurs in up to 10% of cases. Manifestations include meningitis (acute or chronic), encephalitis, brain abscess, myelitis, sciatica and/or neuritis (with damage to cranial or peripheral nerves). The article presents rare clinical cases of neurobrucellosis on the background of concomitant diseases.

Statebuilding and the Modernisation of Welfare Governance in Russia

ABSTRACT This article examines challenges for effective statebuilding in relation to welfare governance in Russia. The focus is the contested role of non-state commercial actors in outsourcing reforms of welfare for older people. The findings suggest that authorities recognise the necessity of reforming the welfare system and its governance in line with international principles but face challenges for developing an effective mixed economy of care while bolstering statebuilding in the post-Soviet context. The article draws critical attention to the role of healthcare reform in statebuilding efforts and draws inferences for the public health governance and statebuilding nexus in a post-Soviet country.

"What's Love Got to Do": Tracing Violence Against Post-Soviet Women in Cross-Border Marriages

Women in cross-border marriages are at a heightened risk of experiencing domestic violence, as they areparticularly traumatised by the experience of migration, which undermines their capacity for independentaction, and they are more vulnerable at the intersections of status, ethnicity, employment, and income. Usingthe theoretical framework of narrative victimology, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted withfive women from post-Soviet countries (Ukraine and Belarus) who were married to Israeli Arab Muslims.This study examines the experience of victimisation and spousal abuse among Slavic Christian women fromthe FSU married to Arab Muslims in Israel. The narratives of the women confirmed that cross-border spousesare susceptible to domestic abuse and intimate partner violence. The constellation of a cross-border familycombines the external risk factors, such as the trauma of migration and the loss of socio-economic stability,the cultural factors associated with the patriarchal nature of Arab society and the tolerance of wife-beating,and the individual man's need to maintain control through the use of coercion and violence. Isolation, as anatural consequence of immigration and as a coercive technique used by an abuser, operates together,intensifying the experience of abuse and preventing the woman from reaching out for help. Pregnancy andchildbearing constituted a particular risk factor for perpetrating abuse against cross-border wives bydebilitating the woman and further preventing her from leaving the abusive marriage.

Towards Social Justice: Investigating the Role of Labor, Globalization, and Governance in Reducing Socio-Economic Inequality within Post-Communist Countries

In the midst of contemporary global challenges, including the repercussions of the pandemic, geopolitical conflicts, and transitional shifts, a notable surge in attention toward income inequality has materialized, garnering significant focus from both national and international entities. The urgency surrounding this issue is amplified by the imperative need for economic sustainability, recognizing poverty and inequalities as fundamental global security threats. Particularly within Europe, the persistent disparities in living standards, evident across and within countries, serve as potent indicators of enduring poverty and inequality. These concerns underscore potential barriers to the European Union’s pursuit of convergence and cohesion, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which prioritize addressing poverty (SDG 1) and reducing inequalities (SDG 10) for sustainable development. This study aims to scrutinize the dynamics of income inequality, concentrating on post-communist countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Employing panel data analysis, the research identifies and tests variables influencing income inequality in the region, specifically emphasizing labor market structures, globalization, economic development, and governance mechanisms, which hold particular relevance for the region’s context. The primary findings underscore the potential impact of enhancing these sectors in mitigating income inequality within the specified region. These insights provide a foundation for informed policy-making, presenting opportunities to address and mitigate inequalities effectively. They pave the way for fostering pathways toward greater equality and equitable socio-economic development within post-communist nations, ensuring a more inclusive and sustainable future.

Are You Our Sisters? Resistance, Belonging, and Recognition in Israeli Reform Jewish Female Converts

The religious conversion process is a significant expression of an individual’s intention to gain a new religious identity and be included in a particular religious community. Those who wish to join the Jewish people undergo giyur (conversion), which includes observing rituals and religious practices. While previous research on Jewish conversions in Israel focused on the experiences of persons who converted under Orthodox auspices, this study analyzes the experiences of female immigrants from the former Soviet Union (FSU) and the Philippines who chose to convert through the Reform Movement in Israel. Based on qualitative research, we discovered that the non-Orthodox process, which is based on liberal values, not only grants converts under the aegis of Reform entry to the Jewish people, but promotes their affiliation with the Reform Movement and advances their acculturation into Jewish Israeli society. Their choice is a political decision, an act of resistance against an Orthodox Israeli religious monopoly, and an expression of spiritual motivations. The converts become social agents who strengthen the Reform Movement’s socio-political position in Israel, where it struggles against discrimination. Furthermore, since most converts are women, new intersections between religion, gender, and nationality are exposed.

Images of the Industrial Frontier in the Context of the Energetics’ Development in Eastern Siberia

The article focuses on the images of the industrial frontier in the context of hydropower development in Eastern Siberia during the Soviet period. Despite the rich experience domestic researchers have accumulated, they have overlooked several aspects of Eastern Siberia’s industrial development. The article explores these images as depicted in Soviet literature, journalism, poetry, and fine art from the various periods. These depictions include the study and construction of the Angara and Yenisei cascade of hydroelectric power plants, reflecting the Soviet state’s ideological attitudes.
 The authors conclude that the images of the industrial frontier, while varying in character, shared many common features across different periods. Furthermore, the Soviet leadership used the creation of these multiple images to solve several important national tasks. These tasks ranged from attracting labor resources to Siberian construction sites to fully integrating the East Siberian region into the life of the Soviet state and society.
 Teachers and students interested in the industrial development of Eastern Siberia in the twentieth century will find the article relevant.

Political Mentality and Its Transformation (In the Case of Post–Communist Uzbekistan)

The article analyzes the transformational processes under the influence of universal democratic values (human rights and freedoms, pluralism, justice, democracy, democratic political governance) in the political mentality of ethnic Uzbeks, who make up the majority of the population, on the example of Uzbekistan, one of the post–communist young independent states of Central Asia. Adoption of democratic laws is not enough for the political transformation of society. The democratic political transformation in the spiritual life of the society cannot be achieved without changing the communist values that have been forcefully instilled in the human mind by the communist political regime for 70 years, without completely removing them from the life of the person and the society. Today, the post–Soviet Uzbek society is undergoing a complex and difficult process of spiritual transformation.

THE IMPACT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ON NEW CONCEPT OF MODERNISATION OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS

Modernization of multi-apartment buildings is one of the steps towards achieving the goals of Sustainable Development of cities and communities. It is not only energy efficient, but also inclusive and spatial solutions. New concept has been introduced such as "Sustainable modernization" is a harmonious and balanced process that combines coordinated changes in today's and future needs, and "Sustainable modernization of residential buildings" is a complete set of actions for the regeneration of buildings and residential areas, including the regeneration of communal communications and nodes. Because only energy efficiency of buildings is not enough for the achievement of the goals of sustainable cities and communities, considering the fulfillment of all the tasks set. The goal is to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Regeneration today is the modernization of multi-apartment buildings to achieve energy efficiency to conserve and reduce the use of energy resources, which helps reduce utility costs and carbon emissions. But it does not satisfy the task of inclusive and planning decisions as Sustainable Urban Development. Panel mass housing construction heritage makes up a significant part of the country's housing stock in post-Soviet countries. These buildings were built according to standards that do not meet modern requirements and energy inefficient. New concept of regeneration on the basis of sustainable development is proposed as the modernization of residential buildings considering the wishes and needs of co-owners, inclusive and sustainable planning. That is, the architectural and planning decision includes the need for the house and the surrounding area for inclusive and reconstruction taking into account the social needs of the residential quarter.

INFORMATION AND TRANSPORT SYSTEMS
 IN THE CONTEXT OF URBAN TRANSPORTATION

A brief overview of information and transport systems implemented in the post-Soviet space is given. The concept
 of an information and transport system for urban passenger transportation based on unmanned electric vehicles is
 proposed, which implements a new technology for organizing the transportation process based on the use of intelligent
 control algorithms, transport with separable parts and high-speed transportation. The proposed methods of organizing
 transportation are aimed at ensuring the highest quality and timely service for system passengers with the most efficient
 use of rolling stock.

Ukraine-NATO: Problems and Prospects of Partnership

The article contains an overview of the evolution of Ukraine-NATO relations from the beginning of our state’s independence to the present. The author made an attempt to identify and characterize the main periods of the formation of Ukraine-NATO relations, to identify the key problems of partnership development. It is noted that at the beginning of independence, Ukraine chose a neutral and non-aligned status, and then declared multi-vectorism as the basis of foreign security policy, which was a historically determined necessity in the transition period. At that time, Ukraine remained in the field of interests of Russia, which sought to restore its position in the post-Soviet space, and therefore did not have the opportunity to fully integrate into the Euro-Atlantic structures.
 Due to the difficult geopolitical situation, Ukraine was forced to maneuver between the East and the West in order to establish itself in the international field and take its place in the European security architecture. In the 1990s, Ukraine-NATO relations developed quite briskly, but not enough for Ukraine to become a NATO member. However, Ukraine managed to gain the status of a special partner, which subsequently contributed to the deepening of bilateral relations.
 In the 2000s, Ukraine-NATO relations first intensified, and after Yanukovych came to power, Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration was suspended. The situation changed after the Revolution of Dignity, when pro-European democratic forces came to power. Further policy is aimed at deepening Ukraine’s relations with the Alliance. Ukraine has finally decided on its course, but the necessary conditions must be met for successful integration. Also, for its part, NATO should conduct a more targeted policy regardless of Russia, which is not as strong as it has created an image of itself through propaganda. Ukraine receives the undisputed support of the Alliance, but, unfortunately, this is not enough to end the war and restore territorial integrity. Ukraine’s accession to NATO would guarantee Ukraine’s security on the one hand, and strengthen the Alliance’s values on the other. Therefore, NATO needs more determination in Ukraine’s accession to the Alliance.

The Ruscist Regime Dooms Russia to Serious Shocks

The article analyzes the development of the Russian Federation during the 33 years after independence. It was noted that during the first years, decisive measures were taken to dismantle the communist regime, all its key institutions, and introduce in its place a democratic and legal system, a market economy on a multi-system basis, the modernization of its leading industries, the development of the socio-economic sphere and the provision of the primary needs of citizens, solving international problems in the country itself.
 In foreign policy, the leadership of the Russian Federation sought to form equal, democratic and mutually beneficial relations, especially with such world centers as the EU and the Atlantic countries. The same principles were initiated in relation to other world regions and states, in particular, in relation to the post-Soviet countries that continued to cooperate within the framework of the CIS.
 Since the beginning of the 21st century, the departure of the Russian Federation from the democratic values developed by Western civilization began, since a number of provisions regarding the transformation of socio-political, socio-economic and national development, which were recommended for borrowing, ran counter to the interests of Russia and contradicted the national idea. In the activities of the new elite of the Russian Federation, their own geopolitical and geoeconomic interests, which were aimed at reviving the positions of the great powers in the world, ensuring the security and integrity of the multinational state, were increasingly strengthened.
 At the final stage of transformational transformations in the Russian Federation, the final establishment of a totalitarian model of the state system took place, the main features of which were: in domestic politics – over-centralism, dictatorship, militarism, revival and development of the Military Industry; on the international arena – revanchist and aggressive policy; it is increasingly obvious that the principles of peaceful coexistence, equal cooperation, and the strengthening of the dominance of its geopolitical interests are being ignored.
 It is emphasized that the establishment of a dictatorial model of the state system in post-Soviet Russia took place primarily because the tsarist-imperial centralist and great-state traditions most corresponded to the implementation of its tasks in domestic and foreign policy.
 It is proved that the dominance of internal rather than external factors was the reason for the inability of the Russian Federation to form a progressive political-legal, democratic and economic model of the development of the state and society, to build international relations, in particular with neighboring states, on a legal, competitive and mutually beneficial basis.
 It was noted that the growing aggressive policy of the Russian Federation towards Ukraine and other countries did not receive timely and appropriate countermeasures from world states and international organizations. Only the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian nation to the invaders forced the collective West to provide active assistance to Ukraine and to introduce effective sanctions against the Russian Federation.
 It is emphasized that the war of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, the annexation of part of its territories, the barbaric destruction of the civilian population and industrial infrastructure are aimed at the liquidation of the Ukrainian state and the Ukrainian nation, the colonization of its territory. The ideology of ruscism must be condemned and banned at the international level and its bearers and those involved in the commission of crimes must be punished.

Strong Leaders in the Former Soviet Union: Successful or Simply Authoritarian?

ABSTRACT The term “strong leader” is generally understood to mean a leader who concentrates power in his or her hands, dominates public policy and the political party to which he or she belongs, and takes the big decisions. Many contemporary politicians present themselves as leaders in this mold and there is substantial public support around the world for this type of leader. Recent research, however, has questioned the desirability of strong leaders, finding that they are high-risk individuals who often have negative records in office. This article is concerned specifically with the personalist authoritarian strong leaders who hold office in the Former Soviet Union (FSU), a grouping that has received little attention in this emerging literature. The article sets out to ascertain whether these personalist authoritarians have been successful leaders as well as strong ones. We undertake this by examining performance (according to a variety of socio-economic and governance indicators) in the 15 states of the FSU in the period 2000–2020. This study finds no evidence of exceptional performance in the states with personalist authoritarian leaders in this time period. Rather, what these personalist leaders have offered is authoritarianism, poor governance, and socio-economic performance that is middling to poor.

"We are a Generation of Slaves. We Support the Protests But do not Take to the Streets": Why Older Immigrants From the Former Soviet Union are not Part of the Protests Against the Judicial Overhaul in Israel.

Beginning in 2023, Israel has been the site of extensive protests against a proposed judicial overhaul, drawing widespread participation. However, there is a notable absence of older individuals from minority groups, particularly older immigrants from the Former Soviet Union (FSU), within these protests. This study aims to explore the perspectives of this group on the judicial overhaul and to reveal the reasons behind their non-participation in the protests. The study involved semi-structured interviews with 20 older FSU immigrants (age 65+). Through thematic content analysis, two main themes emerged: the attitudes of FSU older immigrants towards the proposed judicial overhaul and the factors contributing to their non-involvement in the protests. Participants exhibited diverse opinions on the judicial overhaul, ranging from outright disapproval to ambivalence or indecision. The lack of participation in the protests was attributed to multiple factors, including (1) older age and age-related limitations, (2) unique historical experiences and characteristics of the FSU immigrant cohort, and (3) a lack of unified stance and organization within the FSU immigrant community. The study provides insights into the challenges and barriers faced by older individuals in FSU immigrant minority groups in engaging with political processes and decision-making. These findings are of significant importance to policymakers, researchers, and professionals working with immigrant communities. Understanding these dynamics can aid in developing more inclusive and representative political processes and support engaging mechanisms for older minority immigrants.

Socialism and the Modernization Hypothesis

In Europe, people from post-Soviet countries tend to hold more negative attitudes toward immigration than people from Western societies. This pattern is also evident in the former East and West Germany. In line with the modernization hypothesis, previous research shows that worldviews have become more liberal across generations in Western societies over the last century. This study examines whether such processes of liberalization have taken place at a different pace in Western societies and in post-Soviet societies. To this end, I assess whether changes in attitudes toward immigration across birth cohorts differ between residents of post-Soviet countries and inhabitants of other types of welfare states. Using data from the European Social Survey, the German Socio-Economic Panel Study, and the German General Social Survey, this study shows that the pattern of later-born cohorts holding more liberal attitudes toward immigration is less pronounced in post-Soviet states than in other types of welfare states. These findings have implications for research on attitude change over time and the long-term persistence of communist practices, behaviors, values, and norms.

A NEW PHASE OF POLITICAL REPRESSION (IN THE CASE OF SAMARKAND REGION)

In this article, the persecution of scientific and artistic intellectuals by the Soviet state in Uzbekistanis a true reflection of the arbitrariness and violence of the authoritarian regime that ruled at that time. The ruling regime directed its first blow at a group of writers and poets of the republic, because their worldview and creativity did not correspond to the model of communist ideology. The main excuse for defamation was that they allegedly "introduced" nationalist ideas into their works. Communist ideology consciously mixed the awareness of national identity with "nationalism", acting shamelessly andwithout proof, using all the forms and methods of fighting against them, which existed in the "red empire", and sought to repress and destroy the intellectuals of Uzbekistan. The evidence collected during the research is carefully examined and evaluated from a scientific point of view.

Джаз в советском кино. Опыт ретроспективного анализа

The article is devoted to representation of domestic jazz in the Soviet feature silent and sound cinema in the period from 1926 to 1990. The author notes that jazz was becoming part of the plot of documentaries and feature films since its emergence in the USSR, but the accents in its image changed, and the genre nature of the movies evolved. There was a traceable shift from musical comedy to satirical pamphlet, from lyrical comedy to melodrama. Based on several dozens of examples of films where jazz sounds, the article shows the relationship between the ideological course of the Soviet state, the perception of the jazz performance specifics at different historical milestones, and the nature of its reflection on the screen. Thus, in the 1930s, jazz was synonymous with popular music and had a clear shade of humour and entertainment; in the late 1940s, it symbolized the ideological opponents of the country; and after the Khrushchev Thaw, it was considered an art, a kind of intellectual activity. In addition to the periodization of jazz cinema, the article provides a typology of films about jazz. The author presents a classification based on a set of qualities, such as maximum or minimum correlation of the plot of the film with jazz, participation of jazz musicians in it, and presence of a jazz soundtrack.

«Другие мигранты» на Дальнем Востоке России, или Поиск советского народа в период нациестроительства на постсоветском пространстве

The article examines a new, not very important from the statistical viewpoint, but extremely unusual flow of migrants from the former republics of the USSR, primarily Central Asian and, to a lesser extent, Transcaucasian. In the recent past a typical migrant in the Far East, as well as in Russia as a whole, can be described as a resident of a small city or village, who is focused on a short-term or cyclical stay in the region for the purpose of earning money and minimally interacting with the host community. However, the new flow of migrants includes residents of large cities who travel to Russia with an intention to integrate. For these types of migrants the usual economic push/pull factors do not play a significant role. The representatives of this group possess sufficiently high qualifications and did not experience any serious economic problems in the country of origin. The motives for their move are rather political in nature, and this is not persecution for dissent or participation in opposition activities, but rather what the authors refer to as the search for the Soviet people. According to the authors’ conclusion, the emergence of this migration flow is associated with the growing process of ethnicization (as a form of nation-building) in the states of the post-Soviet space, which is increasingly becoming less post-Soviet. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the authorities of the newly independent states pursued an extremely cautious national policy, which was largely explained by the artificial nature of the contemporary borders of these states and their ethnic foundation. The former imperial cities, the previous centers of power, whose population most closely corresponded to the image of the Soviet people, preserved their high status. However, in the recent years the situation has changed. As ethnicization intensifies, accompanied by the ousting of the Soviet, which was equated with the Russian, the “debris” of the Soviet people lose not only their social status, but also the foundation for self-identification. They move to Russia in search of such foundation, with the hope to find confirmation of their own professional and socio-political identity.