In Moscow's Shadows 124: Putin's Performative Politics
Dec 3, 2023
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This podcast explores Putin's defensive politics, fragility of authoritarian regimes and lack of ideology. It also delves into Russia's shifting stance on homosexuality, political strategy of portraying Russia as a normal country, use of fear and reassurance in political communication, and performative politics.
53:38
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Quick takeaways
Putin actively shapes Russia's political landscape, recognizing the importance of his political image and regime's legitimacy in the upcoming presidential elections.
Russia's recent crackdown on the LGBTQ+ community is a performative display of social conservatism, aimed at creating a new support base and emphasizing traditional values.
Deep dives
The Significance of Politics for Putin
Despite being an autocrat, Putin actively engages in politics and cares about how he is perceived by the masses. He recognizes that as a leader, he cannot ignore public opinion, and he wants to shape Russia's political landscape. This is evident in his attention to domestic politics, as seen in the briefing books he receives daily, which focus on domestic issues. Putin understands that his political image and the perception of his regime's legitimacy are crucial, especially with upcoming presidential elections.
Creating a Socially Conservative Russia
Russia's recent crackdown on the LGBTQ+ community reflects a push towards social conservatism. While Russia had a thriving gay scene for years, recent actions by the government, such as raiding gay nightclubs in Moscow, show an attempt to display a more conservative image. This is a part of Putin's campaign to create a new support base, emphasizing social conservatism and traditional values in opposition to the perceived decadence of the West. The government's actions are performative in nature, aiming to convey an illusion of rigid anti-gay policies, even if the actual scope of the crackdown is exaggerated.
The Paradox of Ideology in Putin's Regime
Despite the efforts to establish a coherent ideological basis for Putin's regime, it lacks intellectual coherence and is not a dominant factor. While certain themes and patterns exist, an overarching ideology is absent. This provides Putin with the flexibility to adapt policies based on his needs and present a diverse range of narratives to appeal to different groups. Instead of adhering to a firm ideology, Putin focuses on consolidating power, maintaining control, and framing Russia as a distinct nation with its own values and history.
The Campaign for a War-Fighting State
Putin's strategy revolves around presenting Russia as a war-fighting state rather than a state at war. The intention is to foster a sense of unity and a shared purpose among Russians, emphasizing the nation's resilience and ability to endure in the face of adversity. This narrative allows the government to redirect fear and justify measures like curfews and restrictions, giving a sense of purpose to Russians. It also serves to position Russia as an underdog against a morally weakened West, creating a national identity rooted in cultural values and inspiring patriotism.
There's a myth that authoritarian leaders don't have to worry about public politics: arguably they have to worry all the more. Spinning off from the recent bizarre criminalisation of the mythical 'international LGBT movement' and one or more raids on gay clubs, I unpack how I think Putin's political 'offer' to Russians will emerge over the months leading up to presidential elections: social conservatism, a warfighting nation rather than a nation at war, a scapegoated country, but also a 'normal country.'
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