Russia and the Politics of `Putinism'

Abstract

Alexseev argues that four robust `state-preserving' pillars of support prevent Russia from collapsing. This article seeks rather to persuade that these pillars provided little safeguard against the `confederalization' of Russia's Federation, particularly after the `systemic shock' of August 1998. It finds agreement with Alexseev in noting the dangers to stability posed by Putin's programme of recentralization, and concludes by suggesting that the politics of `Putinism' will become a key litmus test for the nature of Russian governance into the 21st century.