The Use of Sport as an Element in the Construction of “Z-Ideology” in the Russian Federation

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to find out the peculiarities of the Russian Federation’s use of Mass and Professional Sports to Construct the “Z-ideology.” The Hypothesis and Objectives of the Study are to Analyze the Propaganda of the “Z-ideology” by the Russian Federation at the International, National and Local Levels with the involvement of various actors; to trace the reaction of the world sports community to the demonstration of the Letter “Z” by Russian Athletes and their Public support for the Actions of the Russian Federation in Ukraine and Putin personally.
The following methods were used in the study such as historical (to provide adherence to the “Z-ideology” development chronology; identification of its links with old and modern Russian Federation) and systematic (to carry out analysis of “Z-ideology” as a coherent system) approaches. The methods of induction and deduction were also applied (to research “Z-ideology” as a component of the “Russian world” ideology and the combination of other modern ideologies of “Rashism” and “victory worship” in it); analogies (to examine the key features of the formation and spread of “Z-ideology” based on its similarity to other totalitarian ideologies such as Nazism and communism). Also, structural and functional analysis (to study the interaction of the functional links of “Z-ideology” with other elements of the political system); content analysis (to ensure the study of documents of the central and local government bodies regarding the spread and formation of “Z-ideology”); event analysis (to investigate the dynamics of sports competitions in the field of sports artificially initiated and organized by the Russian Federation authorities with the aim of integrating the letter Z into mass and professional sports); comparative analysis (to show the adoption by countries around the world of laws restricting or prohibiting the use of the symbol “Z”); behavioral (to enable analysis of the Russian athletes, coaches, and fans behavior at domestic and international competitions as well as Russian politicians in their defense); prognostic method (to define the meaning of the symbol “Z” for Russians in the future). Interdisciplinary methods were also used (to give a description of the name, origin, and how the “Z ideology” is visually and linguistically defined in the public sphere).
The behavior and statements of Z-athletes and Z-Coaches at Russian and International Competitions also caused a wide information resonance. The performances of Russian athletes in support of the country’s authorities have acquired clear external and demonstrative and visual effects. The construction of “Z-ideology” through sports contributes to the strengthening of social control and the formation of citizens’ behavior oriented towards loyalty to the authorities.