Fernanda Perez

This is an observation-essay I wrote in the summer of 2015 while I was studying abroad in the Russian Federation. My topic had to do with the president himself, Vladimir Putin. I asked many Russians why Putin had such high approval ratings and why so many Russians seemed to like his aggressive and firm leadership. Here is what I discovered:

For centuries, the Russian Federation has captivated the minds of scholars and intellectuals from all over the world. How to understand it? How to make sense of one of the most mysterious and fascinating nations in the world? Arguably, nothing has played a more vital role in the shaping of Russian history, and its future, than the leaders it has had over the centuries. These leaders have played a crucial role in the scars that have consumed Russian society – many ruthless, others revolutionary. There are two categories where most have taken their place in history: those who liked, and wanted, a more traditional state, and those who aimed for a more modern, Western-like Russia.

Vladimir Putin is one of the few that falls somewhere in between. As Russia’s “strongman,” he has managed to place Russia in the middle of modernity and its past. Putin is probably one of the most controversial leaders in the world, which begs the question: how can Russians, who live in a “democratic” country, support such a near-authoritarian power? And why does the President remain so popular?

These past five and a half weeks I could not help but notice the endless mugs, t-shirts, and toys with President Putin’s face adorning each artifact. As I asked many Russian natives “why do you support such a leader?” a different question was always directed at me – “America is not any better. Your system of government is actually quite weak. How can you support such a weak system?” At first, I did not understand the question, but the more I spoke with the locals, the more I realized what they meant. Russians value strength and action, and even with all his imperfections, and what seemed to me theatre-like propaganda, many Russians saw both qualities in their President.

I talked to a man named Alexander in St. Petersburg and I asked his views on the current Russian President, and to my surprise he gave me a little history lesson. He explained to me how difficult life was after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 and how “useless” Boris Yeltsin had been for Russia, but once Vladimir Putin took control all of his worries and nightmares seemed to vanish. During his fifteen-year rule, Putin has managed to keep order and a “tight grip” on the countries affairs. Wages rose, the standard of living went up, and after the chaos of the 1990s, many Russians see his strong and stable leadership very positively.

When I asked one of the Russian students about this same topic, I received a similar response. She told me that the United States’s government (including the President, and especially Congress) can’t get anything done. On the other hand, in Russia, Putin makes stuff happen.

Not only is Putin strong, at least in the eyes of many Russians, but he also protects Russia’s views and interests. The recent increase in the size of the military, and the annexation of Crimea, has widely increased his popularity.

These bold acts have shown the “strength” of the Russian Federation, and showed the West of what Russia is capable of. It has made Russia one of the key players in the world, and has demonstrated the traditional view of Russians tending to believe in a national hero rather than in their own personal strength.

Vladimir Putin has greatly impacted the world we live in today and history has a place for him. Will he be considered a great leader, or a brutal one? Will Russians continue to stand by him in the years to come, or will his unshakable rule finally crack? As each year passes, his popularity only seems to increase, but something is undeniable: Vladimir Putin has solidified his place in history.