Insecurity & the Rise of Nationalism in Putin's Russia : Keeper of Traditional Values

This book offers an analysis of Putin's approval ratings from the fall of the USSR to the present day. It considers contemporary materials, statistics and a discourse analysis to assess how Putin's approval ratings have stayed so high despite the current economic turndown. Through a comparative analysis with Yeltsin's time in office, the author demonstrates that higher levels of security, a better standard of living, increasingly assertive foreign policy and greater centralization of power led to positive approval ratings for Putin--absent characteristics during Yeltsin's terms--and fostered 'positive national self-esteem' in Russia, a national sentiment that has persisted through current economic difficulties. Recommended reading for academics and students of Russian studies in the field of International Relations, Foreign Policy and Comparative Politics. Suzanne Loftus is Researcher at the University of Miami, USA This book offers an analysis of Putin's approval ratings from the fall of the USSR to the present day. It considers contemporary materials, statistics and a discourse analysis to assess how Putin's approval ratings have stayed high despite the current economic turndown. Through a comparative analysis with Yeltsin's time in office, the author demonstrates that higher levels of security, a better standard of living, increasingly assertive foreign policy and greater centralization of power led to positive approval ratings for Putin--absent characteristics during Yeltsin's terms--and fostered 'positive national self-esteem' in Russia, a national sentiment that has persisted through current economic difficulties--back cover Front Matter ....Pages i-viii Introduction, Literature Review, Methods, and Organization of the Study (Suzanne Loftus)....Pages 1-30 Yeltsin vs Putin (1999–2008) (Suzanne Loftus)....Pages 31-64 Putin’s Leadership 2012–2017 (Suzanne Loftus)....Pages 65-129 Main Argument and Theoretical Analysis (Suzanne Loftus)....Pages 131-158 Conclusion, Further Discussion, and Avenues for Future Research (Suzanne Loftus)....Pages 159-174