How could an undemocratic regime stabilize Russia? What is Putin’s success formula? Many observers viewed the authoritarian trends during his presidency as a retreat from democratization. Instead of explaining why Russia did not democratize, this work seeks to understand the stabilisation process during Putin's tenure. The authors argue that the stability under Putin is multi-layered and aim to uncover the foundations of this new equilibrium, particularly focusing on changes in political and national identity discourses. They analyze recent trajectories through both transitology and post-structuralist discourse theory, considering these approaches as complementary. The latter emphasizes the mechanisms that sustain the current regime rather than the endpoint of transition. The book examines how nationalism has become a vital component of political discourse and its impact on political identity. "Sovereign democracy" emerges as a key manifestation of a renewed post-Soviet identity, rooted in nationalist ideas while appealing to various sectors of the Russian political landscape. The exploration of these themes provides insights into the complex dynamics of contemporary Russian governance and identity.
