The Rhetorical Rise and Demise of "Democracy" in Russian Political Discourse Volume Four

Vladimir Putin’s return to the presidency in 2012 is characterized by a redefinition of “democracy” as the foundation of Russian society and an aggressive posture regarding Ukrainian sovereignty and relations with the West. Volume Four analyzes Putin’s rhetoric as exemplified in his speeches, interviews, and other public addresses. In this volume we focus on the years following Putin’s return to the presidency in 2012. This has been a more active period than his first two terms, including the annexation of Crimea and, ultimately, the invasion of Ukraine. Thus, this period may be characterized as the run-up to that war. The core issue discussed in this volume is Putin’s redefinition of “democracy” as the foundation of society and government in the Russian Federation. Putin argues for a strong central government in which unity is characterized as the absence of dissent. In so doing, Putin seeks to recast Russian national identity, relying on a vision of Russia as the victim of Western aggression.