Vladimir Putin, The Most Hated Man Of His Time

Yet the election was not like the ones that preceded it- there were large scale demonstrations on the streets of Moscow and other metropolitan areas that were against (and some in support) of Putin. These large scale protests as Elkin notes while certainly disruptive and cast a negative light on Russia globally forced Putin to reaffirm his power when he won the election in 2012. Putin was as discussed by Moskowitz and others in class able to use the media to effectively convey his agenda. But Elkin also notes that the resurgence in popularity for Putin was not simply due to a stymied media presence. Putin strategically allowed Medvedev to become the nation’s prime minister, where he was relegated to a position where he could quietly work on making the changes he set during his presidency. Putin set about “restoring” national prestige by being firm on dealings with the west. In particular, during the crisis in Syria, he averted crisis by securing a deal that allowed Syria to dispose of the chemical weapons while also preventing U.S aggression. Elkin notes how Putin would frequently play on populism and patriotism in justifying his action- a formula which combined would ensure that in the crisis to come regarding the annexation of Crimea that he would have the support of the Russian people.

Joseph Stalin and Vladimir Putin are two of the most famous and influential figures of Russian history. Joseph Stalin’s iron fist ruled Russia from the mid-1920’s until his death in 1953. Under Stalin’s totalitarian government, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics played a pivotal role in several major conflicts, including World War II and the Cold War. Stalin’s main goal seemed to be expanding Russia and spreading the influence of communism. Contrastingly, Vladimir Putin has held power from 1999 to the present day. Under his government, Russia became increasingly corrupt with more aspects of a totalitarian government. Nevertheless, the Russian economy has grown at a steady rate of about seven per cent per year and poverty in Russia was halved. His overarching goal seems to be returning Russia to its former Soviet glory. Although definite differences exist between the two leaders, both leaders aim to expand Russia’s borders and power.

Just recently a known political activist, Vedzhie Kashka, abruptly died after meeting with Russian Security forces. She collapsed during the meeting then died shortly after it was over. Since she was from Crimea Stalin banned her as well as many other Crimeans from Russia when the Soviet Union was in power. When Putin annexed Crimea she spoke out for her people, she was known as “a legendary woman of the Crimean Tatar national movement”. She worked with many people to advocate and improve the rights and civil liberties of displaced persons. Earlier in the month and before her meeting she heavily scrutinized the Russian government for the persecution of the Tartar minority. Russia has perpetually tried to put end end to Tatar Crimeans and “Silence the Peninsula” of Crimea.

Masha Gessen, Russian-American Journalist and Critically acclaimed author, visited Hofstra University’s campus with a knowledgeable access to Vladimir Putin; the “Inaccessible man”(Gessen). Gessen starts her 45-minute dialogue with a short narrative of her books, notably “The Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin” and “The Future Is History: How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia.” She continues by briefly describing what Putin has done in his short tenure in office. According to her, he has destroyed “years of progress”(Gessen).

The roaring anti-Americanism proclaimed by Russian leaders and reflected on government-controlled television has provoked an ugly point with shameless capture of Crimea. Putin has made clear that he doesn’t care about international norms and

Vladimir Putin has grown over the past few years to become one of America’s biggest concerns. Specifically in Syria where the United States and Russian influences are directly opposed to each other we can see how the use of language and rhetoric have played a role, Putin told the French media that the accusations against Russia were “rhetoric that did not take into account the realities in Syria”. Putin seems to believe a different reality that we have come to believe in the United States and he is trying to use the same rhetoric again and again to dismiss what is happening in Syria. I think Putin has done a great job to appear authoritarian within his own country, at the same time he seems to try and act collaborative outside of Russia’s borders.

The influence of Joseph Stalin and the Communist Party left Russia’s economy in shambles; the majority of its citizens were impoverished and destitute. During this time, Vladimir Putin, who would eventually become Russia’s leader, was a young boy. Managing to claw his way into power, Putin displayed a plethora of ambition and thrived in politics. Today, he continues to be one of the most controversial figures in the world. Born to to a poor family in Leningrad, Vladimir Putin managed to ascend above his beginnings with perseverance and dedication, initially finding success in the KGB and eventually becoming one of the most influential and controversial Russian presidents in all of history.

Throughout the course of history repressive forms of government have utilized specific elements of power to manipulate their constituents. The Stasi, the former official state security of Eastern Germany, is commonly referred to as one of the most oppressive secret police agencies to have weald any political power. In present day Russia, President Vladimir Putin exploits his extreme qualities of masculinity to promote and carry through a specific agenda. Both forms of manipulation are incredibly harmful tactics to further control the people of non-democratic societies.

Vladimir Putin is the current president of Russia who is either loved who hated across the globe. Not all agree with his political stances and foreign policy. Many of his decisions are constantly under the microscope of all other world leaders. Putin has now won three consecutive elections and has been in office since 2000. This paper will discuss Vladimir Putin's reign of power from 2000 to present day. From 2000-2004 Putin set out to reconstruction of the impoverished condition of

Joseph Stalin was the dictator of the USSR from 1929 to 1953 (Findley pg. 85). Joseph Stalin during his reign changed the Soviet Union from a civilization of peasants into an industrial superpower. He dictated causing disaster, death and terror. Many of his own citizens died during his dictatorship. After the death of Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin, Stalin surpassed his rivals for control of the Soviet party (Findley pg.85) During Stalin’s reign, he set out to mass together farming to try to make his plans of making the Soviet an industrial superpower. He had people who opposed him or who gave the impression of being the enemy executed or sent to forced labor camps (Findley pg. 86-87). Stalin during the years of 1939 to 1945 allied with the

Putin displays an image of power that radiates to his people and either strikes fear or inspires hope for a better future for Russia. He began his political march towards the presidency as a KGB operative in Germany in the last few years the USSR remained to stand. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Putin moved back to St. Petersburg and took a job in the mayor's office as an advisor on international affairs. That was when he began his slow crawl to power eventually earning the position of Prime Minister under the presidency of Boris Yeltsin. At the end of Yeltsin's weak and controversial presidency, the Russian people were eager to find a president who was strong and capable of leading Russia to its rightful glory. Putin offered this in the form of a former KGB operative who will ride a bear shirtless and who will meet opposition with no fear. However, keep in mind that not all of Russia supports Putin. Upon Putin's third reelection into presidency, a somewhat violent protest broke out in which 250 people were arrested. Miriam Elder of The Guardian recalls that the protest "began peacefully as more than 20,000 Russians took to the streets" who were also chanting things like "Putin is a thief" (Elder 5). They were later met at Blotnaya square by a heavily reinforced riot police and the riot was eventually de-escalated and protestors eventually

This was an appropriate policy of Putin’s because it allowed for Russia to become known to the world again after the Soviet Union had fallen. Concerning the relations between Russia and the United States under Putin, many believe that the relations between these two countries had reached their lowest point in 2013. This was eventually resolved when Putin went to a United Nations meeting in order to discuss the anti-terrorist policies and what to do in regards to Syria and Ukraine. This helped to strengthen the relationship between the two countries

Vladimir Putin is currently in his third term as Russia’s President. He served his first two terms from 2000-2008 and was re-elected in 2012. He is the leader of the United Russia party. Officially, Putin’s platform says he believes in Russia’s uniqueness as a “multiethnic civilization.” Although he often appeals to Russian patriotic nationalism, Putin sees ultra-nationalism as a threat to the territorial integrity of the Russian state. Putin calls himself a “patriot,” avoiding the negative connotations of the term “nationalist.”

Vladimir Putin was and still is, one of the most influential and controversial figures within the Russian State. Vladimir Putin’s childhood was one marked by high achievements and important events that shaped him into the leader he became for Russia. He was a student at a high-ranked Russian school, known to only take children with high, above average grades. Here at this school he relished in the idea about becoming a spy as his career after admiring them in many of his favorite spy movies. After his high school career he decided to continue with his education by going to Leningrad State University, where he would find his ticket to the top of politics in the form of a professor. His name was Anatoly Sobchak, a teacher in Putin’s second semester of collage. After Putin attended the university he was offered a job with the KGB, one of the only ones in his class, where he would achieve his dream of being a spy. He was located in Eastern Germany as an undercover agent to spy for the USSR and was able to fit in with the Germans, gaining important information for Russia. Vladimir Putin’s creation of contacts and impressions that he made in his collage career would really become an advocate for him in his rise to power of one of the largest countries in the world.

In recent times, no one can take total power by force alone; you must offer something favorable to the people in order to obtain support. Unfortunately, there are some countries that follow a dictatorship system, which is a form of government that includes social and political power to ensure that the individual’s capability remains strong. Vladimir Putin is a contemporary dictator of Russia. His rebelliousness as a child has led him to his leadership. His cold-heartedness to his rivals and invasion towards countries has led to an opposition towards him. Vladimir Putin’s experience as a street thug led him to his leadership, which easily rose him to power: Not only has he committed crimes against humanity, but he has made groups of people and countries oppose him.