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

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 whi