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
Children and the War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:33
The psychological damage to children has been one of the most underreported stories of this horrific war here in Ukraine. How are children coping, especially those who have lost parents and other family members? In this…
US Elections and Ukraine: what will happen and why we should care [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:06
Who's going to win the US elections, and what will the impact be on Ukraine? Could we be moving towards peace in 2025? And ultimately why do we in the West need to even care about supporting Ukraine? To answer these ques…
An Enemy of the State in Russia, But a Real Patriot in Ukraine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:39
Today I spoke with Roman Sulzhyk, a real Ukrainian patriot who has embraced his life's mission and decided to come back home to Ukraine to help rebuild his country. Roman has been a part of Ukraine's independence movemen…