Weak Strongman

The Limits of Power in Putin's Russia

By: Timothy Frye

Narrated by: John Pruden

Why we need to look beyond Putin to understand how today's Russia actually works

Media and public discussion tends to understand Russian politics as a direct reflection of Vladimir Putin's seeming omnipotence or Russia's unique history and culture. Yet Russia is remarkably similar to other autocracies - and recognizing this illuminates the inherent limits to Putin's power. Weak Strongman challenges the conventional wisdom about Putin's Russia, highlighting the difficult trade-offs that confront the Kremlin on issues ranging from election fraud and repression to propaganda and foreign policy.

Drawing on three decades of his own on-the-ground experience and research, as well as insights from a new generation of social scientists that have received little attention outside academia, Timothy Frye reveals how much we overlook about today's Russia when we focus solely on Putin or Russian exceptionalism. Frye brings a new understanding to a host of crucial questions: How popular is Putin? Is Russian propaganda effective? Why are relations with the West so fraught? Can Russian cyber warriors really swing foreign elections? In answering these and other questions, Frye offers a highly accessible reassessment of Russian politics that highlights the challenges of governing Russia and the nature of modern autocracy.

©2021 Princeton University Press (P)2021 Tantor

Fascinating View of Putin in Context

Well written and read. It offers a thoughtful understanding of Putin in a social, cultural and historical context. Forgive it for feeling more academic and scholarly than popular. In fact, it is entirely accessible to everyone.

Incredible research results that challenge conventional wisdom about Russia and Putin

Well written, full of insights and explanations to help better understand weak Strongman Putin and why Russia does what it does.