Yuri Chekalin

Yuri Chekalin19.07.2026

The preceding articles have developed a conceptual framework for examining the relationship between myth, symbolic politics, and political authority in the modern age. From Concepts to History: Applying the Analytical Framework The purpose of this framework is not to provide a universal theory capable of explaining every political system. Historical realities are invariably more complex […]

Yuri Chekalin18.07.2026

The temperature was pushing 40°C. The humidity felt like a steam bath. Still, a man has to eat. So I bought some fruit and wandered through a park in central Tokyo, happily snacking on grapes. Then I noticed a portrait of the Russian imperial family. A group of Russian expatriates was putting on some sort […]

Yuri Chekalin17.07.2026

Why do certain political leaders acquire an authority that exceeds the formal powers of the offices they occupy? This question lies at the heart of Max Weber’s concept of charisma and remains central to the historical study of political leadership. Charisma Although charisma is frequently understood as an extraordinary personal quality, Weber’s analysis is considerably […]

Yuri Chekalin16.07.2026

Can political authority acquire qualities commonly associated with religion? This question has occupied historians, political theorists, and sociologists throughout the twentieth century, particularly in response to the emergence of mass ideological movements. Political Religion Yet the concept of political religion remains one of the most contested terms in the study of modern politics. Its value […]

Yuri Chekalin15.07.2026

Why do people obey political authority? Few questions have occupied political thought more persistently. Power and Legitimacy From Plato and Aristotle to Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Max Weber, political philosophers have sought to explain why governments are recognized as legitimate and why individuals accept obligations imposed by political institutions. The question is […]

Yuri Chekalin12.07.2026

The concepts employed throughout this article are not presented as fixed or universally accepted definitions. Concepts and Terminology: A Framework for Analysis Terms such as myth, mass, power, charisma, and political religion have acquired different meanings across history, sociology, anthropology, political science, and philosophy. Rather than attempting to resolve these longstanding conceptual debates, this article […]

Yuri Chekalin11.07.2026

“The good historian resembles the ogre of the fairy tale. Wherever he smells human flesh, he knows there is his prey.” — Marc Bloch. Author’s Note This article examines political myth as an object of historical inquiry rather than as an instrument of political advocacy. Its purpose is neither to defend nor to condemn particular […]

Yuri Chekalin04.07.2026

On this Independence Day, we honor the courage, vision, and enduring principles that gave birth to the United States and continue to inspire generations. It is also a day to celebrate the freedoms that allow ideas to be shared, history to be explored, and meaningful conversations to flourish. Thank you to every author for your […]

Yuri Chekalin01.07.2026

”…Death will bestow on us the bells of glory. Yet we pass through this world as envoys Of a country that has no name.” — Alexander Galich We were leaving Russia. Three years had passed since we had made the decision to emigrate to the United States—three years and an endless number of certificates, documents, […]

Yuri Chekalin27.06.2026

In the city of Uchtensk, Bureaucracy lived. It never walked—it went through the proper approval process. It never spoke—it issued directives. Even its mirror reflected a person only after they presented valid identification. One day, a citizen attempted the impossible: to obtain a certificate stating that he existed. “Please fill out an application to receive […]

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Political Myths: Authority and Legitimacy (Part.6)

How Japan Marked the Anniversary

Political Myths: Authority and Legitimacy (Part.5)

Political Myths: Authority and Legitimacy (Part.4)

Political Myths: Authority and Legitimacy (Part.3)

Political Myths: Authority and Legitimacy (Part.2)

Political Myths: Authority and Legitimacy

Happy Fourth of July to the Authors and Readers of the CommentaTHOR!

A Life: For My Grandfather, Iosif Lvovich Mirkin

The Great Bureaucratic Seal

Political Myths: Authority and Legitimacy (Part.6)

The Right to a Digital Mirage

How Japan Marked the Anniversary

Eurasian Energy Corridor