Putin’s Relapse into Totalitarianism

Abstract

The central scenario should be based on the premise that Putin is here to stay- not only until 2018 but until 2024 as well. Although the current patriotic surge will eventually diminish (because of the sanctions, psychological fatigue and fear of economic implications of the Ukrainian crisis and Putins policies), the mass support it provided to Putin will allow the regime to preserve the situation in its current state for quite a while. To achieve this goal, the regime will use the entire repressive machine of the state security system, courts and prosecutors, as well as the institutions that affect mass socialization and public opinion- the media, educational system, culture and the Church.