Putin as Celebrity and Cultural Icon

Whether Vladimir Putin puts himself forward for re-election as Russian President in 2012 or not, he is likely to continue to be a key political figure. Remarkably, however, Putin has transcended politics to become something of a cult figure in Russia. This book examines the nature of Putin's iconic status. It explores his public persona as glamorous hero, endowed with vision, wisdom, moral and physical strength, uniquely the man most capable of restoring Russia's reputation as a global power. It analyses cultural representations of Putin, discusses the role of the media in constructing and disseminating this image of Putin, and outlines how enthusiatically the Russian populace endorses this image, with very few people dissenting.