Bo Petersson

Using the Russian presidents major public addresses as the main source, Bo Petersson analyses the legitimization strategies employed during Vladimir Putins third and fourth terms in office. The argument is that these strategies have rested on Putins highly personalised blend of strongman-image projection and presentation as the embodiment of Russias great power myth. Putin appears as the only credible guarantor against renewed weakness, political chaos, and interference from abroad -- in particular from the US. After a first deep crisis of legitimacy manifested itself by the massive protests in 20112012, the annexation of Crimea led to a lengthy boost in Putins popularity figures. The book discusses how the Crimea effect is, by 2021, trailing off and Putins charismatic authority is increasingly questioned by opposition from Alexei Navalny, the effects of unpopular reforms, and poor handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, Russia is bound to head for a succession crisis as the legitimacy of the political system continues to be built on Putins projected personal characteristics and -- now apparently waning -- charisma, and since no potential heir apparent has been allowed on centre-stage. The constitutional reform of summer 2020 made it possible in theory for Putin to continue as president until 2036. Yet, this change did not address the Russian political systems fundamental future leadership dilemma.

This title was first published in 2001. This text looks at what being Russian means to a Russian politician, the country they live in and what they think it ought to be. It is a study of self-images in Russia, pertaining to the Russian state policy and the cognitive and affective strands regarding Russia's past, its friends and foes externally and internally, and Russia's role in the international arena, as well as key issues related to internal developments. This book attempts to assess to what extent a new sense of identity emerged in Russia during the decade after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. In this book Petersson argues that the development of a civic national identity, centered around belonging to the state and not an ethnic community, is the only viable option to prevent further disintegration and bring about stability and cohesion for the country.

This title was first published in 2001. This text looks at what being Russian means to a Russian politician, the country they live in and what they think it ought to be. It is a study of self-images in Russia, pertaining to the Russian state policy and the cognitive and affective strands regarding Russia's past, its friends and foes externally and internally, and Russia's role in the international arena, as well as key issues related to internal developments. This book attempts to assess to what extent a new sense of identity emerged in Russia during the decade after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. In this book Petersson argues that the development of a civic national identity, centered around belonging to the state and not an ethnic community, is the only viable option to prevent further disintegration and bring about stability and cohesion for the country.

Eurokrisen, migrationen, EU:s bristande förmåga att ta itu med fallerande konkurrenskraft och växande sociala klyftor har försvagat tilliten inom EU, såväl mellan medlemsländerna som mellan EU:s institutioner och unionens medborgare. I krisernas kölvatten har stora skillnader uppdagats inom unionen i den politiska kulturen, i förmågan att driva politik och i grundläggande normer och värderingar. I förtroendegapet som har växt fram mellan befolkningarna och de styrande i Europa har en rad EU-skeptiska, i många fall nationalistiska, politiska partier intagit en allt starkare ställning. Historiskt har unionen tenderat att gå stärkt ur kriser; dagens utmaningar är långt ifrån nya. Dock måste frågan ställas om tilliten i EU är tillräcklig för att rusta unionen inför framtiden? Hur har synen på EU hos Europas befolkning påverkats av de senaste årens händelseutveckling? På vilket sätt påverkar migration till och inom EU den mellanmänskliga tilliten? Vad betyder Storbritanniens förestående utträde för EU:s fortsatta sammanhållning? Hur återupprättas förtroendet för euron som gemensam valuta? Känner ekonomiska aktörer förtroende för EU:s förmåga att upprätthålla den inre marknaden? Vilken roll spelar ny teknologi för att skapa tillit och främja ekonomisk tillväxt? Hur stort är egentligen förtroendet mellan aktörerna inom EU:s civil- och straffrättsliga samarbete? Och hur kan tillit till EU:s politiska system uppnås på ett övergripande plan?

Negative stereotypes about immigrants and strangers exist in all societies and countries. For many, immigrants represent a threat and a challenge to the ingrained habits and traditions of the majority, which leads to friction. To analyze these majority-minority encounters, this study uses perspectives from sub-fields of theoretical study that are closely related but rarely, if ever, brought together. These include perceptions of socio-cultural risk; stereotype formation, scapegoating, and enemy images; mass media reporting on immigrants; and the study of everyday practices or the mundane. Using three neighboring small towns in Sweden as case studies, Stories about Strangers follows the local discourse, primarily through the daily newspaper of the communities, to assess and evaluate the views and/or prejudices about immigrants.