Does Putin “speak Dugin”? A Comparison of Alexander Dugin’s Political Thought with the Ideology of Vladimir Putin in Light of the Radicalization of the Russian President’s Worldview

Abstract

The aim of this article is to determine the level of correlation between the political thought of Alexander Dugin and Vladimir Putin throughout their activities. By characterizing the political thought of Alexander Dugin and Vladimir Putin, and referring to the evolving views of the President of the Russian Federation, we are able to assess the extent to which the political thought of the subjects under study converges. Through an analysis of the content of Alexander Dugin's publications and Vladimir Putin's speeches, we indicate that there is convergence in the fundamental goals of both subjects, which is the restoration of Russia's great power position. However, we point out that Dugin's political thought is significantly more elaborate, making its implementation seem impossible. Additionally, Dugin's imperial plans encompass a wider geographic scope beyond the Soviet and former Eastern Bloc areas. There is also a difference in the interpretation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Putin's narrative suggests it was a preemptive strike aimed at forcing the West to accept Russian claims. Dugin, on the other hand, interprets the invasion as an emanation of the Radical Subject - the Godbearer - and sees it in a wider metaphysical context.