From Reform to Repression: Putin’s Third Term and the Making of an Authoritarian State Pubblico
Mason, Klaire (Spring 2025)
Abstract
This thesis examines the evolution of Russia’s political system under Vladimir Putin, tracing the shift from an illiberal democracy during his first two terms (2000-2008) to a more overtly authoritarian state in his third term (2012-2018). In the early 2000s, Putin’s leadership was marked by a managed democracy, where democratic institutions existed but were tightly controlled, and political opposition was marginalized rather than fully suppressed. Throughout this period, there was hope, both domestically and internationally, that Russia would gradually move toward greater democratization, particularly as economic stability improved, and some reforms were introduced. However, this optimism began to fade as Putin’s government increasingly centralized power, weakened checks and balances, and suppressed dissent. The mass protests of 2011-2012, sparked by allegations of electoral fraud, marked a turning point, as the regime responded with harsh crackdowns on opposition figures like Alexei Navalny and the passage of restrictive laws targeting civil society, media, and political freedoms. The 2014 Sochi Olympics symbolized the regime’s dual strategy of projecting global strength while masking internal repression. By Putin’s third term, any remaining hope for democratic reform had largely dissipated, as the regime relied on coercion, propaganda, and the suppression of dissent to maintain control. This analysis highlights the mechanisms of authoritarian consolidation in modern Russia and underscores the challenges faced by democratic movements in an increasingly repressive environment.
Table of Contents
Intro: “Hope Dies Last” …………………………………………………………………… 1
Chapter 1: Putin’s Illiberal Democracy …………………………………………………... 10
Chapter 2: Putin’s Return to Power During Dimitri Medvedev …………………………... 33
Chapter 3: Repression, Opposition, and the Rise of Putin’s Authoritarian Rule …………. 54
Chapter 4: Tools of Authoritarian Repression ……………………………………………. 75
Epilogue: “This has never happened before, yet here we are again” ……………………. 96
Bibliography ……………………………………………………………………………… 100
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