Shortcut to Legitimacy: Popularity in Putin’s Russia

Survey evidence suggests that Vladimir Putin’s legitimacy rests on three pillars: domestic order; economic prosperity; and the demonstration of great power status internationally. This is problematic inasmuch as it is based on a high degree of personal popularity which inhibits and contravenes the legal–rational legitimacy of state institutions. This requires continued delivery in all three areas in order to maintain the legitimacy of the regime. This framework allows us better to interpret the 2014 Ukraine crisis as an attempt to shore up support in one ‘pillar’ as performance-based legitimacy recedes.     

B. Reviews and notes of recent bibliographies

i. Arab Islamic Bibliography: The Middle East Library Committee Guide. Edited by Diana Grimwood‐Jones, Derek Hopwood and J.D.Pearson (with the assistance of J.P.C. Auchterlonie, J.D.Latham, Yasin Safadi.), London, Mansell, 1977. pp. xvii, 292. £28.50.

ii. Annuaire de l'Afrique du Nord, XIII (1974), XIV (1975). By Le Centre de Recherches et d'Etudes sur les Societes Mediterraneennes (C.R.S.M.) Paris, Editions du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (C.N.R.S.) 1975, 1976. pp.1219, 1397 respectively. (Orders and inquiries: C.N.R.S., Service des Publications, 15 quai Anatole France, 757 Paris — Tel.:555–92–25.)     

Peacekeeping from Oceania: Perspectives from Australia,New Zealand and Fiji

Abstract

This article gives an overview of the involvement of Australia, New Zealand and Fiji in peacekeeping operations with attention to motives, experience and ‘lessons learnt’. Australia and New Zealand have been strongly influenced by regional considerations and an understanding of good international citizenship. Fiji’s contribution has been determined less by regional considerations and more by its position as a small developing country whose peacekeeping activities bring economic benefits, although it could be argued that by providing a basis for extending military forces they have contributed indirectly to political instability. Police contributions have been increasingly important to Australia and New Zealand and they have advocated a stronger role for police in other situations around the world.