Phil Ransford

In seeking to understand why the annexation of Crimea and the renewal of anti-western sentiments in 2014 has enabled Putin to attain such popularity within Russia, this dissertation applies Max Weber’s theory of legitimation types to the recent events in Ukraine, revealing a shift in legitimation structure for Putin’s regime. Analysing Russian history and identifying the legacies that continue to form the foundations of Russian society, the power of the traditional references Putin has made since the annexation becomes apparent. The dissertation discusses the implications of the legitimation shift for the Russian World Putin pledged to protect concluding that given the strength of the rhetoric, Putin is in danger of entering a legitimacy trap from which the projection of Russia’s image as a great power has become the formula for the maintenance of his popularity and survival as the Russian leader.