This talk is based on the book Putinism: Post-Soviet Russian Regime Ideology, published by Routledge in 2024. The book explores the ideological foundations of Putinism, examining its place within the broader ideological landscape. It argues that Putinism represents a distinct and relatively original combination of ideas, rooted in a worldview shaped by communitarianism, populism, identitarian conservatism, and messianic geopolitics. While still lacking a fully developed utopian vision, Putinism offers a sharp critique of Western ideological norms, drawing on anti-colonial narratives to build support in the Global South and positioning itself as a significant ideological competitor to liberal democracy.
Speaker
Mikhail Suslov is an Associate Professor of Russian history and politics at the University of Copenhagen. His research focuses on Russian and East European intellectual history and political philosophy, with particular attention to right-wing, geopolitical, and religious ideologies. His recent publications include the monograph Putinism: Post-Soviet Russian Regime Ideology (Routledge, 2024) and the co-edited volume Pan-Slavism and Slavophilia in Contemporary Central and Eastern Europe (with Marek Čejka and Vladimir Ðorđević, Palgrave Macmillan, 2023).
Moderator
Marlene Laruelle is a Research Professor of International Affairs and Political Science at the George Washington University, and Director of the Illiberalism Studies Program.
The Russia Program at GW condemns Russia's invasion of Ukraine and calls for the restoration of Ukraine's territorial sovereignty.
The Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (IERES)
Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University
1957 E Street, NW / Suite 412 / Washington, DC 20052
Tel (202) 994-6340 / Fax (202) 994-5436 / Email ieresgwu@gwu.edu
