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Vladimir Putin – 20 Years in Power: A Six Part Course with Vadim Malinovsky
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We will discuss Putin’s impact on the Russian economy, his fan base, the elites he is surrounded by, the repressive nature of his government, his manipulation of mass media sources, and his shifts in foreign policy throughout his time in office.
Led by an expert in modern Russian History, this course will be focused on studying Vladimir Putin’s time in office. Lecture details are provided below.
Please note that this is not a biographical course, and it will not cover the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. If you are interested in a biography of the man’s life or Context Seminars pertaining to the tragic Russian-Ukrainian military conflict, please click here to explore those alternative events.
Our time together will begin with a foundational background to the operations of Putin’s economic tactics. Since he took office at the turn of the century, Russian citizens and global leaders have observed oligarchs and state representatives controlling the economy like never before. We will also discuss sanctions that have been placed on Russia by global leaders.
Lecture Two – Putin's Loyal Followers and the Election Process
Our second session will address questions about how elections work in Russia, who votes for Putin, and when the elections first became fraudulent.
Lecture Three – Executive Officers and the Elite Class of Russia
Russian oligarchs and top officials lead state-owned companies, creating a tremendous conflict of interest. These offices of power are granted by Putin. During this lecture, we will address how these men and women impact Russian politics and their motives for supporting Putin. Key questions we will discuss are: Are there grey cardinals in the Russian political landscape? Who can be Putin’s successor?
Lecture Four – Repression of the Opposition
During our fourth week together, we will examine anti-opposition laws and their enforcement. We will discuss the ways in which Russian authorities have consolidated their sources of power and repressed voices of anyone speaking out against the President.
Lecture Five – Controlling the Narrative
We will discuss the role of mass media in contemporary Russian society. Western sources of news, such as Facebook, have been eliminated. Therefore, is Russia headed towards totalitarianism or authoritarianism?
Lecture Six – Recent Wars and Foreign Policy Shifts
During our final week together, we will examine how Putin's rule shifted from positioning Russia as an ally of NATO, to provoking war with Ukraine – the largest military conflict Europe has seen since 1945. We will discuss several turning points throughout the duration of Putin's rule and how these shifts are being presented to the Russian public.
Vadim is a historian (MA) who has graduated from Lomonosov Moscow State University. His focus is contemporary Russian history. He is working on a PhD dissertation on Stalin's national policy.
Yes. All registered participants will be sent a recording within 24 hours of each session's conclusion. The recordings are available to re-watch at leisure until 30 days after the course's conclusion.
Are there additional seminars, courses, and in-person experiences being led on this topic?
Yes. Our Context Experts will be leading several virtual experiences in the coming weeks. Details are available here.
Not suitable for children under age 13 (sensitive content).
60 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.
Excellent course, timely and insightful. It was great learning a Russian historian's take during this tragic time, especially as a sanity check on all the Western-oriented coverage of this man and his crimes. Highly recommended.
This six part presentation was a remarkable experience. Each session built on the previous presentation, and the picture Vadim gave us grew more chilling and intense as the course advanced. It was a unique privilege to have such a complete and perceptive overview of Putin’s complex persona and how his personality, fears and ambitions are shaping a sinister history, ultimately affecting us all. The high quality of this course is in keeping with Vadim’s previous presentations. He is a great host guiding us along the river ways of Russia, transporting us across the country via the Trans Siberian Railway, or explaining the events and personalities that are significant to Russian history and culture. His range of knowledge is exceptional, as well as his ability to interpret the events he discusses. I’m looking forward to more offerings from Vadim in my Context future.
There have been so many good insights into Putin’s Russia. The programs have been so well illustrated and organized and really provide new information and perspectives. It seems these lectures have not reached a broad audience and we are sadly left with our ignorance as a result.
After many courses with Vadim, I really want to express how compelling, timely and informative his classes are. He has a unique perspective and a historian's view on both current and past Russian history. This latest course took a deep dive into Putin - his rise to power, his motives, his opposition - and left us all to ponder on what his next step might be. With Vadim's expertise, I feel like I have a much better understanding of the complex issues that Russia (and the rest of the world) now face. Vadim's presentations are always well thought out and solidly based in facts. He is engaging and eager to share his knowledge with us. Here's hoping there are more classes from this talented presenter!
This course gives you the unvarnished how and why of Putin's rise to power in Russia and how that power is maintained. The picture is neither pretty nor simple. Mr. Malinovsky calls upon the most impartial current minds in Russian economics, political science and foreign policy to explain the fractured economics, electoral corruption, elite who's who, Stalinist-style repression and media control that make Russia what it is today - Putin's Russia, at war with Ukraine and the West. A very thorough, up to date and comprehensive overview by a knowledgeable expert for whom this subject is not theoretical.