Sex, politics, and Putin
Subtitle: political legitimacy in Russia
By: Valerie Sperling
Series: Oxford studies in culture and politics; Oxford studies in culture & politics
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 2015
Language: eng
Number of pages: 360
ISBN-13: 9780199324347; 9780199324354
Subjects: Politics and government; Sexism in political culture; Sex role; Political participation; Women in politics
Description: Is Vladimir Putin macho, or is he a 'fag'? Sperling investigates how gender stereotypes and sexualization have been used as tools of political legitimation in Putin's Russia. Despite their political polarization, regime allies and detractors alike have wielded traditional concepts of masculinity, femininity, and homophobia as a means of symbolic endorsement or disparagement of political leaders and policies. By repeatedly using machismo as a means of legitimation, Putin's regime opened the door to the concerted use of gendered rhetoric and imagery as a means to challenge regime authority.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: The power of sex: culture, gender, and political legitimacy; title: Putin the sex back in politics: gender norms, sexualization, and political legitimation in Russia; title: Who's macho, who's gay?: pro- and anti-Kremlin activists gendering Russia's political leadership; title: Fight club: gendered activism on patriotism, conscription, and pro-natalism; title: Everywhere and nowhere: sexism and homophobia in Russian politics; title: When pussy riots: feminist activism in Russia; title: Conclusion. "The first time, do it for love": sexism, power, and politics under Putin.