Putin, national self-determination and political independence in the twenty-first century

Girvin, B. (2023) Putin, national self-determination and political independence in the twenty-first century. Nations and Nationalism, 29(1), pp. 39-44. (doi: 10.1111/nana.12876)

Abstract

This contribution focuses on the right of nations to self-determination after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It suggests that sovereignty and territorial integrity are not as secure as once thought. A number of articles and statements issued by Vladimir Putin are analysed to identify nationalist themes which he uses to reject Ukraine's right to exist outside the Russian state. Key themes include a primordial account of national origins, the conflation of state and nation, and a refusal to recognise a right to self-determination of territories that had once been part of Russia. Putin's nationalism draws on imperial nationalism, state nationalism, revanchism and majoritarianism to underwrite his claims. Such views are widespread among established states, contributing to the instability of the contemporary world. It is argued that a reconfiguration of the relationship between state and nation is long overdue, as is the inflexible nature of territorial integrity.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Girvin, Professor Brian
• Authors: Girvin, B.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Politics
• Journal Name: Nations and Nationalism
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 1354-5078
• ISSN (Online): 1469-8129
• Published Online: 26 September 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 The Author
• First Published: First published in Nations and Nationalism 29(1): 39-44
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License