Fantasies of cultural sovereignty and national unity: Russia?s ontological (in)security and its assertion of ?spiritual-moral values??
Journal: International Politics
Year: 2024

Abstract Drawing on ontological security studies and Lacanian theory, the article examines the role of ?spiritual-moral values? (SMV) in Russian politics. It argues that SMV have been employed by the Russian political elite to construct an (illusory) sense of ontological security, presented as attainable via the promotion of sovereignty and national unity. Through the analysis of policy documents and Vladimir Putin?s speeches for the period 2012?2023, the article outlines three interlocking narr