Description
Everything Was Forever, Until It Was No More is a profound exploration of the paradoxes within Soviet socialism, as observed through the lens of the last Soviet generation. This insightful publication by Alexei Yurchak, released by Princeton University Press, delves deeply into the intriguing dynamics of Soviet life during the late socialism era (1960s-1980s). The trade paperback edition, published in 2006, offers a unique analysis that challenges conventional narratives by exposing the dualities of Soviet existence: a society that oscillated between seeming eternal yet stagnating; vibrant yet plagued by ailments; bleak yet imbued with promise.
Yurchak’s work presents an anthropological and linguistic examination, drawing upon rich ethnographic material from both the late socialist and post-Soviet periods. With an ISBN of 9780691121178, this brand-new book provides insights into the unexpected transformations that defined Soviet society. The historical context addresses how various meanings, communities, and ideals emerged during ideological shifts, ultimately redefining the interplay between state and citizen.
Ideal for students, researchers, or anyone intrigued by modern history and sociology, this essential read unveils the multi-faceted reality of Soviet life often overlooked in normative discussions. Plus, enjoy free shipping on this item. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780691121178
Format: Trade paperback (US)
Year: 2006
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Description:
Soviet socialism was based on paradoxes that were revealed by the peculiar experience of its collapse. To the people who lived in that system the collapse seemed both completely unexpected and completely unsurprising. At the moment of collapse it suddenly became obvious that Soviet life had always seemed simultaneously eternal and stagnating, vigorous and ailing, bleak and full of promise. Although these characteristics may appear mutually exclusive, in fact they were mutually constitutive. This book explores the paradoxes of Soviet life during the period of "late socialism" (1960s-1980s) through the eyes of the last Soviet generation. Focusing on the major transformation of the 1950s at the level of discourse, ideology, language, and ritual, Alexei Yurchak traces the emergence of multiple unanticipated meanings, communities, relations, ideals, and pursuits that this transformation subsequently enabled. His historical, anthropological, and linguistic analysis draws on rich ethnographic material from Late Socialism and the post-Soviet period.The model of Soviet socialism that emerges provides an alternative to binary accounts that describe that system as a dichotomy of official culture and unofficial culture, the state and the people, public self and private self, truth and lie--and ignore the crucial fact that, for many Soviet citizens, the fundamental values, ideals, and realities of socialism were genuinely important, although they routinely transgressed and reinterpreted the norms and rules of the socialist state.
Yurchak’s work presents an anthropological and linguistic examination, drawing upon rich ethnographic material from both the late socialist and post-Soviet periods. With an ISBN of 9780691121178, this brand-new book provides insights into the unexpected transformations that defined Soviet society. The historical context addresses how various meanings, communities, and ideals emerged during ideological shifts, ultimately redefining the interplay between state and citizen.
Ideal for students, researchers, or anyone intrigued by modern history and sociology, this essential read unveils the multi-faceted reality of Soviet life often overlooked in normative discussions. Plus, enjoy free shipping on this item. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780691121178
Format: Trade paperback (US)
Year: 2006
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Description:
Soviet socialism was based on paradoxes that were revealed by the peculiar experience of its collapse. To the people who lived in that system the collapse seemed both completely unexpected and completely unsurprising. At the moment of collapse it suddenly became obvious that Soviet life had always seemed simultaneously eternal and stagnating, vigorous and ailing, bleak and full of promise. Although these characteristics may appear mutually exclusive, in fact they were mutually constitutive. This book explores the paradoxes of Soviet life during the period of "late socialism" (1960s-1980s) through the eyes of the last Soviet generation. Focusing on the major transformation of the 1950s at the level of discourse, ideology, language, and ritual, Alexei Yurchak traces the emergence of multiple unanticipated meanings, communities, relations, ideals, and pursuits that this transformation subsequently enabled. His historical, anthropological, and linguistic analysis draws on rich ethnographic material from Late Socialism and the post-Soviet period.The model of Soviet socialism that emerges provides an alternative to binary accounts that describe that system as a dichotomy of official culture and unofficial culture, the state and the people, public self and private self, truth and lie--and ignore the crucial fact that, for many Soviet citizens, the fundamental values, ideals, and realities of socialism were genuinely important, although they routinely transgressed and reinterpreted the norms and rules of the socialist state.