Putin’s Rise: The Evolution of an Authoritarian Modernizer

Putin’s Rise:

The Evolution of an Authoritarian Modernizer

“Kelley’s distinctive narrative helps us to understand what drives Putin, while taking into account the changing settings within which he has operated across nearly a quarter-century in power.” ―Rudra Sil, University of Pennsylvania

Understanding any political leader is a challenging task, and this is perhaps especially true when it comes to Vladimir Putin. Donald Kelley meets the challenge as he traces the Russian president’s evolution from cautious reformer to authoritarian leader in the context of Russia’s political system.

CONTENTS:

• Vladimir Putin as an Authoritarian Modernizer.
• Russian Politics: Institutions and Issues.
• Prelude to the Presidency.
• A Strong Leader in a Strong Office.
• Coercive Mediation and Satisficing.
• The Putin–Medvedev Tandem.
• The Shift Toward Authoritarian Rule.
• The Imperial President.
• Declaring War on Ukraine.
• A Sixth Term … and Beyond?