This article is dedicates to the relevant topic of using manipulative technique – the so-called political spectacle, which is implemented via the method of substituted governance/participation. The authors give a new perspective on the concept developed by the U.S. sociologists; introduce the category of dichotomy “governance/participation”; expose the essence of the revival of conservative sociocultural values. Comparative analysis is conducted on the political processes that take place in the United States and the Russian Federation. The article determines their common and specific features, which reveal the factors of accelerated modernization in the United States and factors that impede such processes in the Russian Federation. In conclusion, the author makes recommendations aimed at overcoming Russia's stagnation in this regard. The acquired materials are valuable for the experts in the field of international relations, political scientists, cultural anthropologists, sociologists, as well as anyone interested in improvement of Russia–United States relations. Multiple Russian and foreign research are dedicated to the revival of the traditional forms of governance in modern Russia, as well as in the entire post-Soviet space, which distorts the fundamental elements of democracy. However, this is the first research on examination of the traditional form of governance and its application to modern realities in the context of political spectacle, introduced into sociology by the American scientist Murray Edelman. An attempt was made to apply M. Edelman’s methodology in the conditions of Russian reality; carry out a comparative analysis of the political processes, functionality of the institutions, political culture of the Russian and American societies; and offer the ways of overcoming difficulties and issues related to transition of the modern Russian society to a higher level of modernization development.
Terra Madre 2006: Political Theater and Ritual Rhetoric in the Slow Food Movement