Putin’s Psychology, A Glimpse into the Mind of an Autocrat
When one thinks of Vladimir Putin, a flurry of adjectives might come to mind: strongman, tactician, authoritarian. While some may view him as a decisive leader who takes a no-nonsense approach to governance, others argue that his leadership style is rife with elements of authoritarianism, opacity, and, often, a disregard for international law. But what goes on inside the head of one of the world’s most powerful leaders? Although speculative, psychological profiles give us a glimpse into his decision-making, and the picture that emerges isn’t particularly reassuring.
The Problematic Trio: Machiavellianism, Narcissism, Psychopathy
Psychologists suggest that some of Putin’s behaviors might be influenced by dark triad personality traits — namely, Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy. Each of these has real-world implications that can negatively affect not just Russian domestic policy but international relations as well.
Machiavellianism: Putin’s Machiavellian tendencies become evident when one looks at his tactics in international affairs. Remember the infamous incident involving German Chancellor Angela Merkel and his dog, Konni? Far from a clumsy gaffe, it was a calculated move. Putin, knowing Merkel’s fear of dogs, used his pet as a psychological weapon to assert dominance and, possibly, to distract Merkel from more pressing diplomatic matters. This willingness to manipulate for personal or political gain also becomes glaringly obvious in his foreign policy decisions. From the annexation of Crimea to backing separatists in Eastern Ukraine, these actions may serve short-term goals but also risk longer-term geopolitical stability.
Narcissism: Putin’s narcissistic tendencies are well-catalogued — from elaborate photo ops that showcase his ‘machismo’ to publicly claiming the discovery of ancient amphorae while scuba diving. While these actions may rally domestic support, they can also make international diplomacy more challenging. It’s tough to negotiate or form alliances with someone who’s fundamentally interested in self-aggrandizement and reluctant to accept blame. Putin’s denials of Russian involvement in various cyberattacks and the downing of MH17 are notable examples.
Psychopathy: This trait manifests as a cold disregard for the suffering of others and a willingness to break social and legal norms. Putin’s administration is responsible for the crackdown on dissidents, journalists, and activists, and he has been linked to overseas assassinations of political enemies. These actions show not just a lack of empathy but also a disdain for international law.
Emotional Decision-Making and Personal Goals
And on top of that there is the role of emotion in Putin’s decision-making. While no one is entirely devoid of emotional influences, when combined with dark personality traits, the implications can be ominous. Emotion-fueled actions often lack rational groundwork, something that can be seen in Putin’s international gambits like the escalation in Ukraine, which, besides causing enormous human suffering, also drags Russia further into a geopolitical quagmire.
A Word of Caution
Before we put Putin entirely on the psychoanalyst’s couch, it’s crucial to remember that the psychological models used to assess him are grounded in observations, not clinical evaluation. Nonetheless, these observations serve as important lenses through which to understand his actions.
