Global Security and Intelligence Studies Volume 5, Number 1, Spring / Summer 2020 | Page 73

A New Russian Realpolitik: Putin’s Operationalization of Psychology and Propaganda
produce images of others, and they decide
how to act when these forces are
combined” (Cottam et al. 2010, 1).
The concept of a dynamic and
influential leader who reinforces a society’s
specific identity and perceptions is
not new. However, Putin’s ability to skillfully
incubate, manipulate, and exploit
a unique blend of current and historical
perceptions/images, emotions, and an
enduring Russian social identity is both
impressive and distinctive (Torbakov
2015). For two decades, Putin labored
to salvage and reconstitute a “historic
Russia,” determining that his version
of a political system was “the best instrument
available to secure the state’s
integrity” (Torbakov 201, 444). Since
taking power, the current President of
Russia has embraced varying shades of
propaganda and Realpolitik as tools of
reinforcement and amplification in his
efforts to exploit the Russian political
system and sphere of influence.
Putin has not only actively taken
the reins in his efforts to restore Russian
standing and prominence in the world,
but has also begun degrading Western
influence and cohesion. Tempered by
the pragmatic realization that it is not
possible to recreate the Soviet State, he
deliberately chose to shed the many deficiencies
and anchors associated with
communism, despite knowing full well
there is considerable nostalgia for Russia’s
linchpin role in the former Soviet
space (Hutcheson and Petersson 2016).
Putin has been able to deliver social
and economic progress to a Russian
population eager for tangible results.
By utilizing the framework of the political
psychology theories of humiliation,
social identity, and image, this paper
helps readers conceptualize how Putin
creates measurable success throughout
Russian society.
It is a common misconception
that Putin is trying to reconstruct the
old Soviet Union (Crosston 2018). A
more detailed examination shows that
the current President and former Prime
Minister of Russia does not intend to
resurrect the former Soviet Bloc, but instead
exploit and weaponize the characteristics
and the mechanisms of order,
prosperity, and greatness (Hutcheson
and Petersson 2016). Thus his efforts
allow the country to thrive while disregarding
the elements that let the system
flounder. This study assesses the
following research questions. How has
Vladimir Putin combined, applied, and
exploited the political psychology theories
of humiliation, identity, and image
to consolidate influence and produce
achievements in Russian society? Why
has the Russian leader embraced propaganda
and Realpolitik when attempting
to pursue political goals? How has Putin
capitalized on the malleable internal
psychology within his sphere of influence?
Relationships and Key Themes
Drawing on the psychology theories
of humiliation, identity,
and image, this research examines
active Russian policies, goals, motivations,
and actions to address the research
questions stated above. Despite a
US Cold War victory, the new century
brought with it a post-Soviet foreign
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