Karen_A._Mingst,_Ivan_M._Arregu_n-Toft]_Essentia

Foreign Policy Elites: Individuals Who  Matter 195

high prices for Rus sia’s oil exports, the real dis­
posable income of Rus sians doubled between
1999 and 2006, with Putin taking credit.
An impor tant culmination of Rus sia’s reestab­
lishment of a central role in international circles
was the success of the Sochi Winter Olympic
Games of 2014. Not only a triumph for Rus sia, it
was also a major personal triumph for Putin, who
oversaw all parts of the games. Equally as impor­
tant to Putin’s prestige was the awarding of the
2018 FIFA World Cup to Rus sia. Thus, when U.S.
authorities indicted FIFA officials for corruption,
Putin came to FIFA’s defense, calling it “another
blatant attempt by the United States to extend its
jurisdiction to other states.”
For standing up against the United States, and
the West more generally, and for presiding over a
period of relative po liti cal stability and economic
growth, Putin’s approval ratings have been above
80  percent for much of the era.
Realists see Putin as yet another leader who
acts according to Rus sian historical national inter­
ests. As a former great power whose power has
been diminished with the dissolution of the terri­
tory, Rus sia needs to reaffirm its rightful place
among nations. Putin’s actions are consistent
with those interests.

Liberals would argue that leaders like Putin do

make a difference, even though they may not

explain all of Russia’s policies. Putin’s carefully

crafted image and his use of the media, unpre ce­

dented in Rus sia, has enabled him to acquire

greater power, and his personal success like the

staging of the Olympics has become synonymous

with the success of the nation.

For CritiCal analy sis

1. Using Hermann’s personality characteristics, how would you describe Vladimir Putin?


2. Why do you think Putin has emphasized traditional Rus sian values, despite wanting to
   move his country forward eco nom ically and technologically?

a. Maxim Trubolyubov, “Putin Is a Soviet Leader for the 21st Century,” Moscow Times, March 23, 2015.
b. Ashton Car ter, “The Scholar as Secretary. A Conversation with Ashton Car ter,” Foreign Affairs 94:5 (Sept./Oct.
2015): 75.

Russian president Vladimir Putin greeting athletes at

the Sochi Olympic Games, the scene of personal

success and national prestige.