November 24, 2025

Newspeak: Authoritarianism Is Good


Newspeak: Authoritarianism Is Good
Russian books on politics. The Russian Life file.

On November 21, Barents Observer journalists revealed that the new Explanatory Dictionary of the State Russian Language praised words such as "authoritarianism" and promoted "traditional values." In April, the government granted the book "special status."

Rector of St. Petersburg State University and Kremlin confidante Nikolai Kropachev and Dean of the institution's School of Law Sergei Belov, among other academics, developed the new dictionary. The authors said that their work "is becoming a practical tool for implementing state policy to preserve and strengthen traditional Russian and moral values." Some definitions were developed in collaboration with the legal department of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and the Ministry of Justice.

The Barents Observer noticed that the writers "infused an ideological message" into many entries. The word "authoritarianism" is defined as "the most effective form of government in difficult times for a country (...) [authoritarianism] destroys hostile forces and allows for the limited existence of value systems other than the traditional ones."

Among the book's pro-Kremlin-influenced definitions, the word "propagandist" is equated to "Western" and "anti-Russian." In the entry for "hegemon," it says, "The United States, as a global hegemon, allows itself to not adhere to the rules in order to always win." "Colonialism" is explained as "the policy of Western countries aimed at imposing their ideology (...) on the peoples of other countries with the aim to suppress their national identity and entrench their subordinate position in the global market."

The legal status of "foreign agent," often used for Russians who oppose Russia's war in Ukraine, is defined as a person "conducting political activities in the interest of a foreign state and receiving funding for it." Despite adding new definitions, the dictionary lacks entries for the words "Stalinism," "GULAG," and "specialist."

Many definitions were also infused with religion. "Life" is defined in the dictionary as beginning at conception. The entry for "Priority" says it refers to "priority of the spiritual over the material." The definition also includes "the recognition of the importance of spiritual values such as God." The meaning of "marriage" has a disclaimer that same-sex unions are not recognized by the ROC nor the Russian state. "Mother Heroine," a title awarded to women who have borne 10 or more children in Russia, is also in the dictionary.

You Might Also Like

Cars for the Front
  • November 23, 2025

Cars for the Front

The Russian state reports that more than 5,000 vehicles confiscated from criminals have been sent to serve in the war in Ukraine.
A Russian AIDOL Falls
  • November 17, 2025

A Russian AIDOL Falls

Russia’s first artificial intelligence robot faceplanted after its first steps on a Moscow stage.
Referencing Putin
  • November 20, 2025

Referencing Putin

Data show a long-term upward trend in academic mentions of Vladimir Putin in Russia. 
Putin's Office a Potemkin Village
  • November 16, 2025

Putin's Office a Potemkin Village

Investigative journalists have discovered that Putin's office is actually three near-identical rooms scattered throughout Russia.
Watch Only Half an Episode
  • November 12, 2025

Watch Only Half an Episode

A Russian TV channel cut half an episode of a popular sitcom for jokes that implied a character might be gay.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

How Russia Got That Way
September 20, 2025

How Russia Got That Way

A fast-paced crash course in Russian history, from Norsemen to Navalny, that explores the ways the Kremlin uses history to achieve its ends.

93 Untranslatable Russian Words
December 01, 2008

93 Untranslatable Russian Words

Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices
May 01, 2013

Stargorod: A Novel in Many Voices

Stargorod is a mid-sized provincial city that exists only in Russian metaphorical space. It has its roots in Gogol, and Ilf and Petrov, and is a place far from Moscow, but close to Russian hearts. It is a place of mystery and normality, of provincial innocence and Black Earth wisdom. Strange, inexplicable things happen in Stargorod. So do good things. And bad things. A lot like life everywhere, one might say. Only with a heavy dose of vodka, longing and mystery.

The Little Humpbacked Horse
November 03, 2014

The Little Humpbacked Horse

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.

The Latchkey Murders
July 01, 2015

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
October 01, 2013

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.

 
A Taste of Russia
November 01, 2012

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955