Rules, Time and Violence in the Barracks: The Logic of a Total Institution in Transition

Abstract

This article analyses everyday life in the contemporary Russian army. Following Erving Goffman’s theory of total institutions, researchers usually distinguish the characteristics of social order in the army in terms of dichotomy between formal and informal rules, the special organization of time, and high levels of violence. However, in contrast to this line of thought, here rules, time and violence in the army are viewed not as external predetermined characteristics, but as a result of the language practices and interpretations of the barracks’ inhabitants. This dynamic perspective helps to understand why the phenomenon of dedovshchina is still important in the Russian army, despite changes to the institutional environment. In particular, the study demonstrates the intrinsic link between formal rules of military statutes and informal rules of dedovshchina, which in certain situations could be treated as two sides of the same coin. The article examines how modification of the statutory military uniform contributes to the construction of symbolic boundaries and the reproduction of status hierarchies in the army. Furthermore, the article describes soldiers’ social practices, which allow time to materialize and convert it into a source of power. Finally, the article considers why some actions that could be treated as violent by outsiders are not recognised as such in the army. In addition, the article analyses the role of the smartphone video camera, which is gradually becoming a key attribute of army life, transforming the nature of barracks violence. The research is based on observations made during the military service and examines the narratives of ex-soldiers tell about their experience of military service. Additional information is also taken from army online forums. For a better understanding of the specific features of Russian dedovshchina, the article contains cross-cultural comparisons with the seemingly similar phenomenon of bizutage that existed in the French conscript army.