RUCARR Distinguished Speaker Series
The Role of Traditional Moral Appeals in Putinite Autocracy
Speaker? Henry E. Hale, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at George Washington University (GW),
When? April 14th, 17:30-19:00
Where? Niagara, NI:C0E11 or on Zoom (click here for the Zoom link)
Abstract: Over the last decade and a half, Russia’s Kremlin has increasingly emphasized traditional moral values in its appeals for public support. This marked a major shift in regime strategy from its earlier “catch-all” approach to a socially divisive form of “wedge politics.” Has this worked? What have been the consequences of this strategy for the regime? In this event, the speaker will examine data from Russia to show that the results have been mixed. Traditional moral appeals’ most powerful effects have been to help the regime win support even from Putin opponents for major initiatives ranging from term-limit contravention to war. But at the same time, they have alienated some potential Putin supporters and inadvertently catalyzed a (relatively) moral liberal opposition coalition that is potentially larger than commonly believed.