Public and Private Cycles of Socio-Political Life in Putin's Russia

Abstract

What roles do society and public opinion play in state policy-making? Following the philosophical-political literature, this article adopts a theoretical framework examining two phases of public activity: public and private. Viewing public opinion as a significant factor in the evolution of Russian politics, the article traces development of public and private phases during the Putin presidency. Causal factors driving the oscillations between public and private phases, and attitudinal and behavioral features of each phase, are discussed. These dynamics are also traced in the regions. Questions about the possibilities for and nature of changes in Russian society are raised and analyzed.