Analysis of the Possible Political Ideology of Vladimir Putin

There has been ambiguity about the political ideology of Putin whether Putin wanted to lead Russia to a highly opposed state to that of West or to make it concurrent to Western lines of democracy. But Putin seems to have his own set of norms and values and he tries to reshape Russia’s ideology according to his own criteria.

His actions, decisions and policies have reflected considerable response to what he wants to change in Russia and what he wants to pursue regarding the Russian identity. Both Gorbachev and Yeltsin tried to westernize the Russian society and political path and did well though Yeltsin was a little inconsistent as compared to former. But for Putin, Russia’s economic interests are more important than its political linkages with Europe and the world. Putin seems to pursue a Hobbesian ideology with respect to Russia’s place in the outer world. “In Putin’s opinion, economic strength is the basis of survival in that harsh competition; to inferior economically is to be vulnerable politically and militarily.” Indeed Putin wants Russia to be a part of globalized world but only in economic perspective, not in political or social sense. “.. Isolation from the world economy is a recipe for underdevelopment”. (Evans, 2008).

He admits that promulgation of democracy in the world is a part of globalization but he also emphasizes that in case of Russia, there has to be made certain adaptations because the atmosphere and historical timeline of Russia gives unprecedented picture of what Russia has been in the past and how and in which way it is possible to intermix global values in the Russian society. He, actually, doesn’t want demolition of centralization of power in the hands of smaller groups or common people because of certain reservations. He stresses that existence of a strong center is very necessary for stability of Russia in the hostile environment of destabilizing forces.

He does not see West or US or the whole world as his enemies if economic aspect is taken into account, but he shifts his ideas to another side if political inside of Russia is discussed or criticized openly. He sees Russian people as the light bearers of a strong far-past. They have a strong moral character. But they fell to certain disunity in the 90s and that led to devastation of Russia and pushed it back very badly. He claims that decentralization of power may tend to bring that black era back once again and Russia cannot be able to withstand another crisis this time.

He denotes those who want to see the people of Russia instigated against the government as traitors who have sold their loyalties to foreign enemies. He thinks those people have no room in this sacred country and hopes to outcast them with the help of the public. In 2007, while speaking to an election rally of the United Russia party, he spoke, “Those who oppose us need a weak, sick state, a disoriented, divided society, so that behind its back they can get up to their dirty deeds and profit at your and my expense”. (Evans, 2008)