Insights into Vladimir Putin from Dr. Petschauer's August 19 lecture
85 people attended the August 19 lecture by Dr. Peter Petschauer sponsored by the Blowing Rock Persisters.
Before the lecture, two volunteers with the Watauga County Voting Rights Task Force reported on efforts to register and encourage new and hard-to-reach voters in the county to take part in this fall’s election. Anyone interested in volunteering should email jondaltongeorge05@gmail.com for more information.
Dr. Petschauer’s lecture focused on insights into the life and motivations that guide Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia.
A few points:
Putin follows the model of past autocrats in Russia to tap into nationalism, repress all opposition, and consolidate the government. Authoritarians scheme to take over the judiciary, the press, and the legislature, and Putin has control of all in Russia.
Some insight into Putin’s character and motivations may trace back to trauma from his childhood and youth, swaddled as a baby and later abused by his father and likely beaten when he was in the military.
One of his prime motivations is to reclaim former Soviet lands. Russia lost economic stability when the Soviet Union fell, leading to a rise of gangs, alcoholism, and lower life expectancy, so Putin’s focus on regaining past glories appealed to depressed Russians.
Putin accuses foreign leaders of doing what he actually does—he woos some and harasses others, including bringing a large dog to a meeting with Angela Merkel, who does not like dogs.
The West is not well-equipped to respond to the bullying and propaganda tactics of Putin.
Putin has made clear that he does not want countries to unite together for mutual security, such as the European Union or NATO. He believes each country should pursue security as an individual actor.
A few interesting facts: He believes Russia won World War II. He sees himself as a Hercules figure. He has been quoted saying, “I am in control now. No one can touch me.”
He is vulnerable because he is surrounded by sycophants who are not especially loyal to him who could be corrupted, though he kills or exiles any individual who gains attention by opposing him. He is also vulnerable to the vast diversity of the population of Russia, since his support lies solely with what he called “ethnic Russians.”
During Question and Answers, Dr. Petschauer was asked his opinion if there was cause for concern about the recent Helsinki meeting between Trump and Putin. Dr. Petschauer commented that it was perfectly appropriate for political leaders, even adversaries, to meet for talks. The one concerning difference in this case was that usually someone keeps records of what is said. Not having records could make us vulnerable to manipulation by Russia.
He added that the Russian spy agencies have sought for years to interfere in other countries’ elections, and he has no doubt that it took place in 2016, though it is another matter to claim that it changed the outcome of the election. He anticipates Russia will seek to influence elections in Hungary and Brexit negotiations in the United Kingdom.
“People seeking power will always seek to undermine democratic freedoms,” he said.