Russia: Putin the Historian (original) (raw)

The paper examines the evolving ideological focus of Vladimir Putin's administration, particularly its emphasis on historical legitimacy as a means of consolidating power. The Kremlin's shift from aligning with Western liberal values to promoting 'traditional national values' reflects a deeper engagement with Russia's historical narrative, aiming to portray its past as uniquely justifying its current political structure. The upcoming centenary of the 1917 revolutions presents a critical opportunity to evaluate how this historical narrative will be shaped and the implications it may have for Russia's identity and governance.