Alexander Dugin’s Ideology and Its Shadow Over Putin’s Russia: From Domestic Governance to the War in Ukraine

 

Introduction

Alexander Dugin, often dubbed “Putin’s brain,” is a Russian political philosopher whose ultra-nationalist, anti-Western ideology has profoundly shaped Vladimir Putin’s Russia [1]. While Dugin holds no official government position, his ideas—particularly his “Fourth Political Theory” and Eurasianism—have permeated Russian political discourse, influenced internal governance, and provided a philosophical underpinning for Russia’s aggressive foreign policy, especially in the war in Ukraine [1,2,3].

I. The Core of Dugin’s Ideology

Dugin’s worldview is rooted in a rejection of Western liberalism, which he sees as a corrupting, hegemonic force. Instead, he advocates for a “Eurasian” civilization, led by Russia, that would unite the post-Soviet space and beyond under a new geopolitical and ideological order. His 1997 book, Foundations of Geopolitics, is considered a foundational text for Russian military and political elites, arguing that Ukraine “as a state has no geopolitical meaning” and that its independence is a direct threat to Russia’s security and identity [2,4,3].

Dugin’s ideology blends traditionalism, anti-Americanism, and a vision of Russia as the spiritual and political heir to both the Roman and Byzantine empires—a “Third Rome” destined to lead a multipolar world against the “Atlanticist” West [2,5,6].

II. Dugin’s Influence on Putin’s Internal Governance

Putin’s Russia has increasingly embraced Dugin’s reactionary, anti-liberal, and authoritarian themes. The Kremlin has promoted traditional values, Orthodox Christianity, and a centralized state, all of which align with Dugin’s vision of a “Russian World” (Russkiy Mir) [1,5,6].

Centralization and Authoritarianism: Putin’s government has mirrored Dugin’s calls for a strong, centralized state, using the rhetoric of “sovereign democracy” and “traditional values” to justify crackdowns on opposition, independent media, and civil society [1,5].

Militarization and Mobilization: Dugin has long advocated for a more assertive, even militaristic, approach to governance. His influence is evident in the Kremlin’s increasing reliance on security services, the glorification of military power, and the suppression of internal dissent as part of a broader “existential struggle” against the West [1,5,3].

Cultural and Educational Influence: Dugin’s works are reportedly studied in Russian military academies and universities, and his ideas have been echoed in official rhetoric, including Putin’s own speeches denying Ukraine’s sovereignty and historical legitimacy [2,4,3].

III. Dugin’s Ideology and the War in Ukraine

The war in Ukraine is the most dramatic manifestation of Dugin’s ideological influence. His writings explicitly call for the dismantling of Ukrainian statehood, framing Ukraine’s existence as an artificial construct and a tool of Western expansionism [2,4,3]. The annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 reflect Dugin’s long-standing belief that Ukraine must be reintegrated into Russia to restore its “great power” status and counter Western influence [1,2,5].

Denial of Ukrainian Identity: Putin’s pre-invasion speeches and justifications for war closely mirror Dugin’s arguments, including the claim that Ukraine is not a real nation but a historical part of Russia [2,3].

Geopolitical Expansion: Dugin’s vision of a “Eurasian Union” and the subjugation of Ukraine as a buffer against NATO and the EU have been central to Russia’s foreign policy strategy. The war is framed not just as a territorial conflict, but as an ideological crusade against Western liberalism and a struggle for Russia’s civilizational survival [1,2,5].

Existential Rhetoric: Both Dugin and Putin portray the conflict as an existential battle, with Dugin arguing that Russia must “eradicate” Ukrainian identity and the West’s influence in the region to secure its future [1,5].

IV. Dugin in the Context of Other Russian Ideologues

Dugin’s ideas draw on a long tradition of Russian imperialist and anti-Western thought, including the works of Ivan Ilyin and the Slavophiles. However, Dugin’s synthesis of these ideas into a coherent, actionable geopolitical strategy has made him particularly influential among Russia’s political and military elites [6,3].

V. The Limits and Dangers of Dugin’s Influence

While some analysts caution against overestimating Dugin’s direct impact on Kremlin decision-making, the alignment between his ideology and Putin’s actions is striking [6]. The war in Ukraine has become a testing ground for Dugin’s theories, with potentially catastrophic consequences for regional and global stability. The Kremlin’s embrace of Dugin’s worldview risks further isolating Russia, deepening its confrontation with the West, and entrenching a system of governance that prioritizes ideological purity over pragmatic statecraft [5,3].

Conclusion

Alexander Dugin’s ideology has provided Putin with a powerful narrative to justify authoritarianism at home and aggression abroad. The war in Ukraine is not merely a territorial dispute but a clash of civilizational visions—one that Dugin and his followers believe Russia must win to survive. Understanding Dugin’s influence is essential for grasping the ideological underpinnings of Putin’s Russia and the profound challenges it poses to the international order.

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References

[1] "A real Russian heart: Aleksandr Dugin, Vladimir Putin and the dangerous new Russian ideology," Engelsberg Ideas, 2023. Link
[2] "Foundations of Geopolitics - Wikipedia," 2025. Link
[3] "The Imperialist Philosopher Who Demanded the Ukraine War," The New Yorker, 2025. Link
[4] "Aleksandr Dugin - Wikipedia," 2025. Link
[5] "Aleksandr Dugin: The far-right theorist behind Putin's plan," CBS News, 2022. Link
[6] "The West Overestimates Aleksandr Dugin’s Influence in Russia," Providence, 2019. Link