The Putin predicament: problems of legitimacy and succession in Russia: by Bo Petersson, with a foreword by J. Paul Goode, Stuttgart, Germany, Ibidem Verlag, Soviet and Post-Soviet Politics and Society series, 2021, 230 pp., €34.90 (paperback), ISBN-13: 978-3-8382-1050-6; €22.99 (Epub pdf), ISBN 9783838270500

"The Putin Predicament: Problems of Legitimacy and Succession in Russia" by Bo Petersson is a book that examines the legitimacy of Vladimir Putin's rule in Russia. The author argues that Putin's ability to maintain obedience from the Russian people without relying heavily on repression is a result of his strategic construction of legitimacy. This includes media manipulation, the invention of political myths, and the use of "othering" to marginalize opponents. The book also questions the relevance of discussing Putin's possible successor, as it is likely that he intends to stay in power as long as possible. Overall, the book provides a well-documented account of legitimation efforts in Russia, but raises the question of how unique these patterns are compared to other long-standing autocrats. [Extracted from the article]