During communist rule in Russia, children were indoctrinated at an early age to believe without doubt in the Communist Party. Most children aspired to be "pioneers", a select group of children who would be trained to enter the upper echelons of the Party upon reaching adulthood. The brainwashing of these pioneers was so complete, that they sometimes even turned in their own parents for crimes against the Party. Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his supporters appear not to have forgotten the power of brainwashing youth to support political causes. In 2005, pro-Putin supporters began the youth movement called "Nashi", meaning "Ours". The purported purpose of the movement is to combat fascism, but in reality the government supported organization focuses on idolizing the Prime Minister and gaining support for his Party, United Russia, during elections.
Before becoming a member of Nashi, the uninitiated must prove that they support Putin's policies. They are interviewed by Nashi recruiters, who quiz them on their support of Putin's foreign and domestic policies. Most alarmingly, the prospective members are asked why they hate America. Once proving that they are loyal to Putin and hate America, they are accepted into Nashi and can attend a school serving only Nashi members that prepares them to enter high positions in Russia's government.
Nashi Members Show Their Support of Putin
Nashi's members are extremely vocal in their support of Putin and his policies. 10,000 strong, they organize mass pro-Putin demonstrations. Gathering on red square, they give speeches about the importance of joining the army. In fact, a special army was created exclusively for Nashi. Putin now has an army loyal only to him.
Nashi does not only focus on teaching youth to support Putin, but also on changing their personal lives. Following Putin's speech that Russians must reproduce more in order to keep Russia strong, Nashi organized mass weddings, following which the young couples went to marriage tents to begin their duty of replenishing Russia' diminishing population. They are told to have at least three children.
The Future of Nashi After the Election
Since Putin's party won the 2007 election, Nashi no longer appears to be as important for Putin. According to Nikita Borovikov, the organization's leader, 45 of Nashi's 50 regional offices will be closed. Nashi helped to accomplish its goal of ensuring Putin's party won the election. Putin's administration will continue to fund the remaining offices, in case Nashi is needed in the future. Meanwhile, many of Nashi's members have graduated to working directly for the Russian government. Considering the thousands of youth that have participated in Nashi, it seems that the movement will have a lasting effect in Russia. However, the role that these youth will play in Russia's future remains to be seen.
Works
"Kremlin Slims Down Nashi Youth Movement". The Other Russia. 30 January 2008.
"Nashi: Putin's Enthusiasts-Russia."
Schwirtz, Michael and Yaffa, Joshua. "Youth Groups Created by Kremlin Serve Putin's Cause". The New York Times. 8 July 2007.
