Putin Cracks Down: The Russian Presidential Election and Its Aftermath

A significant shift in Russian political landscape emerged following the 2011 parliamentary elections and the 2012 presidential election, marked by unprecedented large-scale protests. These demonstrations, largely organized by a new generation of internationally educated activists using social media, demanded fair elections and democratic reforms, symbolized by white ribbons and human chains around Moscow and the Kremlin. Despite initial fears of police repression, the protests unfolded without violence, encouraging further activism and leading to the emergence of opposition spokespersons such as Alexei Navalny and Garry Kasparov. The study highlights the contrast between these demonstrations and the entrenched 'Putin System,' characterized by centralized power and the fusion of political authority with business interests.

Hinsey, E. (2013). Putin Cracks Down: The Russian Presidential Election and Its Aftermath. New England Review, 34(2), 123–141. https://doi.org/10.1353/ner.2013.0062