A strategy of spectacle|The Economist

Our friendly eastern neighbour uses the same playbook as his friend Berlusconi and admirer Trump. Every move is calculated to reflect positively on the hero, while vilifying his foes – all of it played on the web and on TV. Manipulating the media, creating a reality warp seem to be the modern populist’s tools – and Putin and his surrounding excel at that. In fact, that and merciless repression of dissent seem to be the only things that keep him in power – and riding high in opinion polls.

His willingness and ability to act abroad gives Vladimir Putin a big boost at home

Source: A strategy of spectacle

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