What ancient social code could explain the way power works in modern Russia? Soviet-born writer Elvira Bary argues that the Kremlin operates like a male alliance: a hierarchy built on loyalty, dominance, ritual humiliation and rewards for insiders. She traces this pattern from early human groups to Vladimir Putin’s inner circle, examining how it shapes Russian politics, the treatment of Alexei Navalny, and the invasion of Ukraine.
This political analysis explores why status and perceived respect may matter more than conventional diplomacy, why peace talks can fail, and how institutions can be displaced by personal power networks. For viewers interested in Russia, Putin, the Ukraine war, authoritarianism, political psychology and the history of state power, this deep dive offers a framework for understanding the forces behind modern Russian governance.
