The Russian Populists of the 19th Century: Populism without Leader and Elections

At first sight, Russian populism (narodnitchesvo) seems to be very different from contemporary populism, as it does not include some of the characteristics of the phenomenon: a short-term electoral perspective and the construction of a mainly charismatic legitimacy. In this article, we return to the sources of the narodniki problematic to grasp the specificity of the movement and its populist practice. Originating in an intelligentsia marked by the failure of the decabrist modernising revolution, Russian populism is built around the deploring of the absence of a true Russian people. Consequently, contrary to any form of demagogy, the narodniki had to construct it politically, through speeches and repertoires of contention most often organised around a paradigm that was not representative but pedagogical. This is what gives meaning to a long-term perspective and to questions about the institutions likely to give this people an effective existence. In conclusion, we return to the perspectives that can be drawn from this movement regarding the modalities of construction and existence of political identities.