Priamaia liniia s Vladimirom Putinym: Performing Democracy Putin-Style

The Kremlin’s assertion of Russia’s identity as a representative democracy relies for its effect on the skillful manipulation of the media by Vladimir Putin, Russia’s actor-in-chief. It seems clear from reviewing Putin’s annual, televised town hall meetings that it’s the Russian President’s enigmatic charisma that keeps his poll numbers high even as he curtails citizens’ rights.