an article by Tatiana Zhurzhenko published by Eurozine
Vladimir Putin's 'ordinary bloke' appeal is cultivated through calculated breaches of political decorum. Donald Trump's transgressions also cement his popularity, even if he lacks the traditionally masculine self-restraint of his Russian counterpart. An analysis of power, populism and sincerity.
The virtues of ‘sincerity’ and the ills of ‘political correctness’ loom large in today’s populist rhetoric. Presenting themselves as ‘strongmen’ who have the balls to say aloud what others are only thinking, populist politicians challenge the social norms of political correctness in the name of free speech. Some try to please the conservative public by openly despising the notions of racism and sexism, and by playing with nostalgia for ‘natural’ gender roles.
Donald Trump’s election campaign provided many examples of this. Though different from Trump in many ways, Vladimir Putin also employs ‘sincerity’ as an instrument of power, and attacks ‘political correctness’ as the hidden ideology of the liberal West. In this respect, the similarities and cross references between the Russian and the US political discourses are striking. In what follows, I compare American and Russian political masculinities as exemplified by Putin and Trump and look into features common for male political leadership of two declining superpowers.
Continue reading but note: if this interests you then you will need time to read not only the main article but the many footnotes/references.
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