Constitution and narrative

peculiarities of rhetoric and genre in the foundational laws of the USSR and the Russian federation

Ulrich Schmid

Universität St Gallen

pp. 431-451

in: Andrea Zink, Rosalinde Sartorti, Annett Jubara (eds), Crossing boundaries, Studies in East European Thought 62, 2010.

Abstract

Constitutions are not just legal texts but form a narrative with an engaging plot, a hierarchy of actors and a distinct ideology. They can be read and interpreted as literary texts. The four constitutions in 20th century Russia (1924, 1936, 1977, 1993) can be attributed to specific genres (drama, fairy tale, gospel, performance). Moreover, they interact closely with the official culture of their time (painting, collage, film, literature). The constitutions serve an important task in the cultural self-definition of Russian society which as a rule occurred in moments of ideological crisis. The case of Russia is especially intriguing since the utopian project of a just society needed in every stage of its evolution (revolution, consolidation, "developed socialism", postcommunism) a new convincing design which was able to guarantee the citizens' loyalty to the state.