Research project in progress
The war started by Russia in Ukraine has shocked the world. But even more surprising was the support of the war by the Russian population. Opinion polls demonstrate that over 50% of the population approve the “military operation” providing evidence for the efficacy of the Kremlin’s propaganda efforts.
One of the arguments explaining why the propaganda was so successful is the weakness of civil society. Institutionalized civil society in Russia has been systematically undermined even prior to the war as it was perceived as a threat to the regime’s stability. Following the war, the situation has worsened. Independent civil society organizations and free media have been labeled foreign agents or extremists, making their work infinitely harder if not impossible. Leading civil activists are forced to choose between jail or immigration.