Power, Masses, Manipulation Putin's Ratings and Russian Society

If one believes polls, President Vladimir Putin enjoys tremendous approval ratings. His high standing, however, says more about the state of the political system - which steers public opinion with the help of television as well as mobilising, integrative symbols - than it does about society's attitudes. After all, society is cut off from the chance to influence politics. In a situation of political impoverishment where elective possibilities are missing and competition is nonexistent, the approval ratings of the Putin regime have a purely ceremonial, imitative character.