Anti-Americanism: a perfect addition to a Russian authoritarians political toolbox

Abstract

This thesis analyzes anti-Americanism in Russia during the era of Vladimir Putin. The objective is to evaluate Vladimir Putins anti-Americanism and the political implications of Putinist anti-Americanism within Russia. The central questions that this thesis strives to answer are: (1) What are the roots of Vladimir Putins anti-Americanism and the anti-American tendencies of segments of the Russian populace from the 1990s to the present day; (2) What is the relationship between the progression of Putins anti-Americanism and the anti-American sympathies of the Russian public; and (3) What are the potential domestic political benefits garnered by Putins hybrid authoritarian regime as a result of his anti-American rhetoric and policy positions? This thesis concludes that Vladimir Putin is inherently anti-American and the Russian populaces anti-American mood is directly manipulated by Putin. Putin employs the mechanics of his state to propagate anti-Americanism within Russia for domestic political reasons.