The Co-Construction of Authoritarianism in Russia

The Co-Construction of Authoritarianism in Russia

Samuel Greene speaks in the first seminar of this academic year.

Samuel Greene, Director of the Russia Institute, King’s College London

The Kremlin’s ability to maintain power and popularity despite an aging leader, an ailing economy, a rallying opposition and many other domestic and international challenges is puzzling given current theories of authoritarianism. These theories focus on some combination of material interests, institutional engineering and the charisma and skill of the dictator himself. A close examination of the Russian case, however, reveals that the real power of Putin’s dictatorship lies in the realm of ideas and emotions that chime with powerful currents in society, which in turn shape and limit the strategies of the Kremlin.

Further information on Samuel Greene's research  

Please direct any inquiries about the talk to Ilya Yablokov (I.Yablokov@leeds.ac.uk).