Understanding the Ideology Behind Putin’s Regime and Russian Fascism

Ever since the rise of Vladimir Putin to power, a constant debate has surrounded the nature of his regime - whether it can be classified as fascist or merely authoritarian. In this article, we will delve into the complex ideological components of Putin’s rule and compare it to the offerings of Russian fascism, if any.

The Nature of Putin’s Regime

Vladimir Putin is often inaccurately labeled as a fascist, particularly by those who either misinterpret or misunderstand the true nature of his rule. In reality, Putin’s approach is a multifaceted mixture of authoritarian liberalism and conservatism. Why categorize his system more explicitly under authoritarian liberalism? This is because the term ‘authoritarian liberalism’ describes a distinctive set of ideological and political features much more accurately than using the phrase ‘authoritarian conservative.’

Authoritarian liberalism comprises a broad spectrum of ideologies, whereas authoritarian conservatism is more narrowly defined. While non-fascist authoritarian conservatives typically seek to control the political landscape by banning all other parties and ruling through the military, authoritarian liberals maintain a facade of a multi-party system and democracy while concentrating nearly all significant power in a single figure. This system generally includes formal democratic elements but operates under the constant presence of a strong executive and frequent electoral manipulation.

Comparing Authoritarian Liberalism and Authoritarian Conservatism

The distinguishing characteristics between authoritarian liberalism and conservatism lie in their distinct approaches to governance:

Authoritarian Conservatism: This ideology emphasizes the central role of a single ruling party. It often employs fascist tactics to consolidate power and suppress political opposition. Authoritarian Liberalism: While it also mandates a strong executive branch, it typically retains some democratic formalities, such as a parliament and multiple political parties, but in practice, only one person holds significant power for extended periods through strategic manipulation and repression.

Examples and Historical Context

Authoritarian liberalism is not unique to Putin’s Russia. Similar systems were observed in several Latin American countries during the 19th and 20th centuries, including Baldomero Espartero, Francisco Serrano in Spain, Francesco Crispi, and Giovanni Giolitti in Italy. In more recent times, this ideology manifested in Eastern Europe, notably in figures like Slobodan Milosevic in Serbia and Viktor Orbán in Hungary. Other examples include ideologues and leaders like Leonid Kuchma, Viktor Yanukovych in Ukraine, Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus, and even Viktor Orbán, among others.

The Case of Putin’s Russia

Both Putin and his predecessor, Boris Yeltsin, demonstrated traits of authoritarian liberalism. Yeltsin’s military suppression of the opposition in 1993 set the stage for a more autocratic rule, and this approach has since solidified Putin’s governmental framework. Yeltsin’s actions in 1993 were justified given the opposition at the time, but his rule transitioned into a more autocratic posture since then, aligning with the characteristics of authoritarian liberalism.

The Existence of Russian Fascism

The concept of Russian fascism remains contentious and often dismissed as an oversimplification or even Russophobia. While there have been attempts to classify Russian fascism, especially in its earlier stages, it is more accurate to say that the current system in Russia aligns more closely with authoritarian liberalism rather than fascism.

Entities such as neo-Nazi subcultures, monarchist and traditionalist organizations, and nationalist groups do exist in Russia, but they are not inherent to the Russian national framework. They more closely resemble specific national variants of fascism, such as Serbian fascism represented by Serbian Action and Obraz. These movements are part of a broader international neo-Nazi subculture rather than a distinct Russian manifestation.

In conclusion, the predominant ideology behind Putin’s regime and the Russian political scene as a whole is best categorized as authoritarian liberalism, due to its structural and operational characteristics. While elements of authoritarian conservatism and even fascist movements exist, they do not form the core of Putin’s leadership or the larger political landscape of Russia.