Paul Goble
Staunton,
July 12 – The boost in national pride among Russians during the World Cup that
Vladimir Putin and others have celebrated is very real and could have positive
consequences, Oleg Khukhlayev says; but like many things that come on suddenly
rather than develop over time, this new national self-confidence is likely to
prove extremely short-lived.
In
a Novosti interview, the specialist in
ethno-psychology at the Moscow State Pedagogical and Psychological University
says that it is important to understand the basis of this pride because its
roots are very different than many think (ria.ru/sn/20180712/1524390899.html
and nazaccent.ru/content/27684-etnopsiholog-rasskazal-o-roli-chm-v.html).
Instead
of being a reflection of genuine pride in what Russians have or can accomplish,
Khukhlayev continues, it was a product of the sudden influx of foreign fans. “We
like to feel ourselves the masters who are welcoming guests.” That state of
affairs generates positive emotions.”
It
has a positive side: the increase in the amount of “positive self-respect”
leads to “a reduction in national and racial hostility.” If Russians feel positive about themselves as
just now, the ethno-psychologist says, they don’t need to discriminate against
others in order to view themselves as superior.
Unfortunately,
this feeling is unlikely to last. Once the World Cup is over, “everything will
return” to its accustomed place. But nonetheless, “this mass experience is
changing the views of people.” Having
such “human contacts” with outsiders is “the best means of lowering hostility
and a prophylactic against international hostility.”
At
least some Russians as a result of the World Cup will now find it easier to
view others in a positive light because they view themselves in a more positive
light than they did before the competition started. It is noteworthy that Novosti played up this
aspect in its report about the interview, while the contents of Khukhlayev’s
remarks were far more cautious.
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