Food for thought: The culture and tradition of the University of Notre Dame eerily parallels the propaganda of the Soviet Union. One would think that these two entities would be worlds apart, but let’s face it, they both know how to persuade. I don’t mean to suggest that our beloved university mirrors the authoritarian Soviet Union in any other way, just through the medium of how persuasion and a clear narrative can stick and form generational thought. It is the power of persuasion and the mechanics of influence that shape what those in the Soviet Union believed for generations, and what we, as members of the Notre Dame community, ultimately believe in as well.
The Soviet Union and Notre Dame both prominently utilize slogans, mottos and inspirational sayings. The Soviets romanticized the idea of the “Motherland” and used a “strength in unity” motto to formulate a sense of community with shared values. These mottos were intended to inspire each person to act as a “good soviet citizen” who understood that working was not just for themselves, but for the collective. Notre Dame is also seen pushing forward slogans, many of which are known across campus. You have “play like a champion today,” “we are ND” and, of course, “God, Country, Notre Dame.” These slogans are known for a reason, and as a community, I believe each individual knows them by heart and lives by them. Having slogans such as these helps individuals carry their Notre Dame identity, and when stating these slogans, each individual feels as though they belong within the community, just as the soviet citizens felt a strong sense of connection and belonging to their own community.
At Notre Dame, students embody the spirit of each college as they “grow the good in business”, “seek knowledge, share discoveries, make a difference” in the scientific world, “study everything, do anything” through the field of liberal arts, work “toward a flourishing human community” in global affairs, generate “a new traditional architecture as a force for good” and strive toward “engineering a better world for all.” As students participate in the University’s culture, they are committed to personifying these incarnations during and after their studies at Notre Dame, as a community. These mottos represent not only an individual aspiration, but also the ambitions of the colleges as a community — the Notre Dame community.
To add to the slogans of shared values, the Soviet Union did not shy away from using films, songs and pieces of literature to propagate values and ideology to its citizens. For instance, there are films such as “Chapaev,” directed by the Vasilyev Brothers, that portray the battle between the Red Army and the White Army. This film, although focusing on the titular character, Chapayev, symbolizes the unity of an army toward a goal, and not a single person’s ambitions. As a collective unit, Chapayev and his men are stronger and ready for battle. This is the same for novels, as seen in Fyodor Gladkov’s “Cement,” which represented the collaboration of members of the community working together to reconstruct a cement factory — a parallel to the reconstruction of the Soviet nation. These propaganda media push toward the collective mindset, persuading the citizens to be like the characters in the films and novels, contributing to the collective goal and becoming solidified members of the community.
In the novel, “Sofia Petrovna,” by Lydia Chukovskaya, the titular protagonist liked a song titled “When my country calls, I’ll be a hero,” demonstrating the ideology of community and commitment to the country. This is a parallel to Notre Dame’s iconic songs that truly make you feel as though you are a part of the Notre Dame community, especially in the stands of the football stadium. For one, the “Notre Dame Victory March” is one song every student, alumnus, fan and member of the Notre Dame community knows well. This fight song is played at times when many Notre Dame members are gathered together, such as during football games. It is during these times that other iconic Notre Dame songs are played, such as “Here Come the Irish” and the “Victory Clog.” However, the most noteworthy song would be the University’s alma mater, “Notre Dame, Our Mother.” Like many alma maters, this song is a statement for those associated with the University. Knowing this song and being able to sing along makes you feel even more connected to the University than normal, at least in my own experience.
So when you walk across the campus pavements, think about how citizens in the Soviet Union were subjected to believing one narrative due to the propaganda that constantly surrounded them, and how Notre Dame parallels this sentiment, creating a familial, collegiate environment where Notre Dame community members feel welcomed. Yes, the fundamentals are entirely different; the Soviet Union was an authoritarian government that manipulated their citizens into believing one ideology. Notre Dame, on the other hand, is a loving collegiate entity that, through similar media outlets, has shared their mottos and values to be extended into generations to come.
Lacey Young
Senior class of 2026
Dec. 3
