Soviet rule rituals: political of the Brezhnev era

Abstract

Abstract. This article comprehensively examines the political rituals of the Soviet regime and their impact on society. The Soviet Union widely used various rituals to strengthen its power and shape the ideological direction of the people. In particular, during the Brezhnev era, state holidays, party meetings, ceremonial events and award ceremonies acquired special significance. These rituals were used as an important means of ensuring the stability of the political system.
The study analyzes the role of power rituals in the formation of political culture in the Soviet Union, based on the methods of historical anthropology. In order to demonstrate the significance of Brezhnev’s personality on the political scene, the nature and structure of rituals during his rule are examined. In addition, the impact of power rituals on legitimacy, their influence on various groups of society, and their formalization and loss of significance over time are studied.
The article uses L.I. Brezhnev’s diaries, documents from the Archives of the President of the Russian Federation, A.S. Chernyaev’s notes, and historical documents of that period as the main sources. The results of the study show that although Soviet rituals were organized to ensure the stability of power structures, their excessive formalization and standardization led to a weakening of public trust in power.
This article allows us to understand the significance of rituals in the political system of the Soviet Union, to clarify their role in the relationship between power and society. In addition, the results of the study can serve as a basis for analyzing issues related to modern political rituals and their place in society.