ABSTRACT

A Psychoanalytic Study of Political Leadership in the United States and Russia: Searching for Truth provides psychoanalytic insight into the motives of this complex and contradictory figure.

The contributors, from different professional and academic backgrounds, use a range of methods including quantitative research and literary analysis to shed light on Putin’s background, outlook and current actions. Reflecting a range of perspectives on how Putin’s background may have informed his beliefs and his actions, particularly with respect to the invasion of Ukraine, the book brings together diverse viewpoints.

A Psychoanalytic Study of Political Leadership in the United States and Russia will be of great interest to psychoanalysts and to readers seeking to understand the complex dynamics of populist leadership.

chapter |3 pages

Introduction

part 1|54 pages

Looking Within

chapter 1|22 pages

Why the Truth is Essential in a Democracy

Pivoting Toward Evidence

chapter 2|30 pages

Observations, Knowledge, and Speculation

What We Know and Don't Know About Vladimir Putin

part 2|14 pages

Understanding Vladimir Putin from an Eastern European Perspective

part 3|28 pages

Investigating Vladimir Putin's Personality

chapter 4|8 pages

Zeitenwende

Vladimir Putin's Effort to Reestablish the Russian/Post Soviet Empire

chapter 5|18 pages

Invasion of Ukraine

Observations on Leader–Follower Relationships 1

part 4|20 pages

Quantitative Research Conducted by a Preeminent Researcher

part 5|6 pages

A Scholar Looks at Vladimir Putin through the Lens of Russian Literature

chapter 7|4 pages

Dear Vladimir Putin

If You've Read Dostoyevsky, You've Tragically Misunderstood Him—Austin Ratner on Russian Imperialism and Misreading The Brothers Karamazov

chapter |5 pages

Conclusion