Synopses & Reviews
This book aims to provide an important insight into the essence of Putinism and the political system he has established in Russia over the past decade. Van Herpen compares in detail the many and often surprising parallels that exist between Vladimir Putin's regime in Russia and that of Weimar Germany and Mussolini's Italy indicating the presence of strong Fascist elements in the contemporary Russian Political system. However, this is tempered with elements of Bonapartism from Napoleon III's France and the populism of Italian politics under Berlusconi creating a hybrid system which has been termed 'Fascism-Lite' with a softer face than Mussolinian Fascism but still containing a hard core of ultra-nationalism, militarism and neo-imperialism. The author not only looks at Putin's regime in retrospect but also offers an insight into the future of the Russian political system as Russia's strong man begins his third term in office.
Synopsis
In this original analysis of contemporary Russia, the author shows how Putin's regime is a completely new, right-wing political model that combines features of Mussolini's Italy with the 19th Century Bonapartism of Napoleon III and 21st Century Populism of Berlusconi. An essential read.
About the Author
Marcel H. Van Herpen is director of the Cicero Foundation, an independent pro-EU think tank based in Paris and Maastricht. He is a regular collabiorator with the US think tank The National Interest. His research interests include defence and security in Central and Eastern Europe.
Table of Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
PART I: 'WEIMAR RUSSIA'? THE VALIDITY OF A HISTORICAL PARALLEL
Russia And The Weimar Republic: Does A 'Weimar Parallel' Exist?
The 'Weimar Parallel': Economic, Political, And Societal Aspects
The 'Weimar Parallel' - Socio-Psychological Aspects
Post-Imperial Pain And The Making Of A New National Myth
PART II: THE SPECTER OF A FASCIST RUSSIA
What Is Fascism?
Defining Fascism: The Thin Method
Defining Fascism: The Thick Method
Putinism And Fascism: The Eleven Differences (Part I)
Putinism And Fascism: The Eleven Differences (Part Ii)
PART III: PUTINISM, BONAPARTISM, AND BERLUSCONISM
Putinism And Bonapartism: The Ten Resemblances
Putinism And Berlusconism
Putinism: A Hybrid Mixture Of Mussolinian Fascism, Bonapartism, And Berlusconism