How do Russians support this war? A deep dive into Russian political culture with an expert

How do Russians support this war? A deep dive into Russian political culture with an expert

Author: Mark McNamee January 30, 2025 Duration: 47:48
Approaching the 4th year of this war, polls have consistently shown that an overwhelming majority of Russians still support the war. How do Russians stay supportive of the war despite everything – not only the unending atrocities inflicted on Ukrainians but also the extreme level of Russian casualties?  What is it about the Kremlin’s ideology that convinces tens and tens of millions to continue to support this horrible war? To answer these questions and more, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. James Pearce to discuss the foundations of Russian political culture. Dr. Pearce shared his thoughts on the imperialistic nature of this war, how Russians view this war, and what will happen to Russia after the war. Dr. James C. Pearce is a cultural historian of Russia at City College Peterborough, UK. He previously worked at the University of Liverpool and the College of the Marshall Islands, and has lived in Russia for almost a decade. He is the author of The Use of History in Putin’s Russia, and has written extensively on Russian memory politics, historical narratives, education policy and historical anniversaries. James is currently writing a history of Russia’s Golden Ring Cities and has contributed to several prominent media outlets including The Moscow Times, ABC Australia and España, and New Eastern Europe. To learn more, visit: https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

We are living through events that will define our century, and History in the Making: The War in Ukraine is an attempt to make sense of them as they unfold. Host Mark McNamee brings his deep knowledge of Eastern Europe to the fore, not just to recount headlines, but to untangle the complex historical, cultural, and political threads that led to this moment. This isn't a dry recitation of facts; it's a grounded exploration of how a conflict reshapes a nation's identity and the global order. Each episode moves between the sweeping strategic picture and the intimate, human stories of those living through the war, highlighting a profound resilience. You'll hear analysis that connects past empires to present-day battles, and conversations that reveal the personal cost and extraordinary fortitude within Ukraine. The goal of this podcast is to provide context and clarity, offering a nuanced perspective that goes beyond the news cycle. By focusing on the people, the history, and the on-the-ground reality, Mark creates a vital record of a world changing in real time. Tune in for a thoughtful, comprehensive guide to understanding not just what is happening, but why it matters for all of us.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 79

History in the Making: The War in Ukraine
Podcast Episodes
Alaska and DC summits - what does it mean for Ukraine? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:23
A very eventful past few days - historic summits in Alaska and DC - and felt the need to give my brief analysis of what it means and where things stand. In short, not bad and could have been alot worse. Not to mention a…
Trump's trade wars and how they help Ukraine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:42
How will Trump's trade wars impact the War in Ukraine? What does the trade deal between the US and Europe mean for Ukraine? What about US-China trade relations and potential US secondary sanctions? And what happens to th…
The Russian Orthodox Church and its hybrid war against Ukraine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:08
Did you know the head of the Russian Orthodox Church is a former KGB agent and multimillionaire who made his money in smuggling? Or that its priests routinely bless the missiles, drones, and weapons used against innocent…