“Russian Bear” - the Dynamics of Changes in the Image of Russia in the World

Abstract

The process of forming and changing the image of Russia-bear is analyzed. English, French, Polish, American and Georgian caricatures, engravings and lithographs, which appeared in the period from the second half of the 18th century to the present day, are used as sources. The problem of forming the image of Russia abroad is considered from the point of view of imagology and information warfare. The process of changing the image of Russia-bear is described depending on the political situation, on the direction and propagandistic goals of the printed publications. The study revealed that the associations of Russia with the image of the bear are extremely strong and acquired the status of a stereotype long ago. It is noted that this image has been successfully used as a weapon of political propaganda since the XVIII century. It is shown that the image of the "Russian bear" in the Western media constantly changes on the basis of the current political situation on the international arena. The authors assert that this image is practically not developed in the Western media in the context of constructive alignment of international relations, the destructive component of the image is usually emphasized. It is reported that, since 1977, attempts have been made in Russia to positivize the image of the bear in foreign media, but they have not been successful to the present day.