Global Security and Intelligence Studies Volume 5, Number 1, Spring / Summer 2020 | Page 90

Global Security and Intelligence Studies
cross-section of psychological theory
and more traditional aspects of power
will likely provide evidence, relationships,
and generalizations that serve
policymakers, defense planners, and
politicians around the globe. This entire
spectrum of decision-makers must now
consider the influences, relationships,
and limits uncovered between psychological
theories, international relations,
and domestic politics. By examining
these elements, leaders and decision-makers
around the globe can now
enable mechanisms to anticipate Putin
or other world leaders who attempt to
operationalize psychological theories to
generate power and advance policy.
Through an investigation of
three theories, selective propaganda
methods, and deliberate Realpolitik
techniques, this study examined
Putin’s distinctive and sophisticated integration
of power politics and political
psychology theory. The distinctive intertwinement
and overlapping nature
of the operationalized and weaponized
elements mentioned above form the
foundations on which Putin has started
to resurrect the Russian state. These examined
elements of influence are only
amplified and entrenched by a modern,
advanced, and ever-evolving Russian
propaganda organism. These independent
elements have a direct effect on
the holistic approach that has given
Putin’s constituency hope, respect, and
the possibility of a better future against
the hardened and prized backdrop of a
storied Russian past.
This study demonstrates that
Putin’s and his various Russian governmental
apparatuses’ current policy success,
including a degradation of Western
credibility, results from the comprehension,
exploitation, and reinforcement
of the psychological theories of
humiliation, identity, and image across
Russian society. Above all, this article
shows that constructive elements, such
as psychological theories, can be operationalized
and integrated with conventional
influencing elements under
unique circumstances and encroach on
more realist frameworks security and
power generation. At the very least, this
study “challenge[s] the traditional notion
that people act in politics in a rational
pursuit of self-interest” (Cottam
et al. 2010, 1). Putin and his accomplice
institutions understand that behavior is
not necessarily rational, but something
to be exploited and reinforced through
a variety of tailorable variables.
The various audiences around
the world must understand that Putin’s
success and societal and psychological
rearmament neither happened by mere
luck nor occurred overnight. Putin does
not want the world to underestimate his
flexible ideology, hardened values, and
nationalistic motivations. He understands
that there will be setbacks and
that results will not always be instantaneous.
This transformational leader
will continue to refine the operationalization
of these psychological theories,
propaganda methods, and Realpolitik
techniques and, if required, will deviate
from any rigid political circumstance.
Until critics develop a strategy to effectively
combat his exemplary differentiation
ability and intergroup molding,
the Russian leader will continue to be
successful at home and abroad.
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