Putinism: Russia and Its Future with the West by Walter Laqueur
There is no question that tensions between Russia and America are on the rise. The forced annexation of Crimea, the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight 17, and the Russian government's treatment of homosexuals have created diplomatic standoffs and led to a volley of economic sanctions. In America, much of the blame for Russia's recent hostility has fallen on steely-eyed President Vladimir Putin and many have begun to wonder if they we are witnessing the rebirth of Cold War-style dictatorship. Not so fast, argues veteran historian Walter Laqueur. For two decades, Laqueur has been ahead of the curve, predicting events in post-Soviet Russia with uncanny accuracy. In Putinism, he deftly demonstrates how three long-standing pillars of Russian ideology-a strong belief in the Orthodox Church, a sense of Eurasian manifest destiny, and a fear of foreign enemies-continue to exert a powerful influence on the Russian populous. In fact, today's Russians have more in common with their counterparts from 1904 than 1954 and Putin is much more a servant of his people than we might think. Topical and provocative, Putinism contains much more than historical analysis. Looking to the future, Laqueur explains how America's tendency to see Russia as a Cold War relic is dangerous and premature. Russia can and will challenge the West and it is in our best interest to figure out exactly who we are facing-and what they want-before it is too late. Editorial Reviews ...an aptly timed and much needed look at the mercurial master of the Kremlin...efforts to peer inside Mr. Putin's head have taken on profound significance...Into this examination comes Mr. Laqueur, with trademark scholarly discipline deconstructing Mr. Putin, who in his 16 years as prime minister and president has defied the understanding of some of the world's best-informed leaders and best-financed intelligence agencies. - The New York Times - Peter Baker An aptly timed and much needed look at the mercurial master of the Kremlin -Peter Baker, New York Times An erudite and unsettling but convincing argument that the new Russia is a dictatorship 'approved by the majority as long as the going is good,' and if Putin were to vanish today, his successor would make few changes. -Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Laqueur is grimly convincing in lowering expectations that Russia will become genuinely democratic any time soon. This thorough examination of all aspects of modern Russian society and culture makes an excellent addition to recent literature on Putin-era Russia. -Publishers Weekly Big-picture analysis is always good, and Walter Laqueur, dean of American Russia watchers, excels at it. -James S. Denton, World Affairs - From the Publisher 01/01/2017 Journalist and historian Laqueur assesses the varied influences on Putin's philosophy of governance including the Russian Orthodox Church, the country's Islamic regions, Eurasianism, and Russophobia (anti-Russian sentiment). A timely look at recent Russian history. (LJ 1/15) - Library Journal *2015-04-15 Relief at the end of the Cold War lasted barely a decade before observers began wondering if it was returning, this time under a pugnacious, quasi-Stalin: Vladimir Putin. This is not true, writes distinguished historian Laqueur (After the Fall: The End of the European Dream and the Decline of a Continent, 2012, etc.), but no one should take comfort. In this astute, timely analysis of recent Russian politics and ideology, the author, former longtime director of the Institute of Contemporary History in London, emphasizes that the dissolution of the Soviet Union produced an unreasonable optimism about the chance for democracy. Most Russians have come to believe that democracy is what happened to their country between 1990 and 2000, writes the author, and they do not want any more of it. When Putin came to power in 2000, he seemed like a tough leader determined to stabilize a nation mired in chaos and economic collapse. No one denies his spectacular success, but the resulting Putinism--a mixture of chauvinism, social conservatism, state capitalism, government domination of the media, and the pervasive sense of a nation surrounded by enemies--brings to mind the Soviet Union. In fact, Russia's leaders believe that the victory of the Reds in the civil war was a disaster, and they hold a low opinion of Lenin. Although admitting that Stalin committed too many unjustifiable actions during his time in power, they admire him because he made his nation strong. Minus the mass murder or any pretense of internationalism, that is Putin's goal as well. An erudite and unsettling but convincing argument that the new Russia is a dictatorship approved by the majority as long as the going is good, and if Putin were to vanish today, his successor would make few changes. - Kirkus Reviews
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Binding: Hardcover
Published by: St. Martin's Publishing Group: , 2017
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ISBN: 9781250064752 | 1250064759
288 pages.
Book Condition: Very Good
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