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Presidential Rhetoric and Nationalism: Evidence from Russia and Ukraine

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 June 2020

Nataliia Kasianenko Open the ORCID record for Nataliia Kasianenko [Opens in a new window]
Nataliia Kasianenko*
Affiliation:
Department of Political Science, California State University, Fresno, California, USA
*
*Corresponding author. Email: natkas@csufresno.edu
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Abstract

This article leverages saliency theory to explore how regimes may use state-controlled media to intensify nationalism and gain legitimacy. I explore mainstream news coverage in Russia and Ukraine with a particular emphasis on how political leadership frames nationalist rhetoric in the two countries to emphasize certain issues over others. I focus on relevant media content that contains nationalist rhetoric before and after the invasion of Russia into Ukraine’s territory in the spring of 2014. Content analysis suggests that political leaders in both countries have focused on political issues, while largely ignoring economic issues in their nationalist rhetoric. The analysis also shows that state leaders can successfully promote nationalism by emphasizing cultural issues and concerns.

Keywords

issue saliencymedianationalismRussiaUkraine
Type
Article
Information
Nationalities Papers , Volume 49 , Issue 1 , January 2021 , pp. 108 - 125
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© Association for the Study of Nationalities 2020

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