A psychoanalytic study of political leadership in the United States and Russia : searching for truth / [edited by] Karyne E. Messina.

Why the truth is essential in a democracy : pivoting towards evidence / Karyne E. Messina -- Observations, knowledge, and speculation : what we know and don't know about Vladimir Putin / Karyne E. Messina -- Interpreting Vladimir Putin from afar leads to over-simplification of very complex relationships / Harry Gill -- Zeitenwende : Vladimir Putin's effort to reestablish the Russian/post Soviet empire / Peter W. Petschauer -- Invasion of Ukraine : observations on leader-followers relationships / Vamik Volkan and Jana Javakhishvili -- Measuring the mental functioning of Putin, Trump, and Zelensky / Robert Gordon -- Dear Vladimir Putin : if you've read Dostoyevsky, you've tragically misunderstood him : Austin Ratner on Russian imperialism and misreading The Brothers Karamazov / Austin Ratner.

"Psychoanalytic Study of Political Leadership in the United States and Russia provides psychoanalytic insight into the motives of this complex and contradictory figure. The contributors, from different professional and academic backgrounds, use a range of methods including quantitative research and literary analysis to shed light on Putin's background, outlook and current actions. Reflecting a range of perspectives on how Putin's background may have informed his beliefs and his actions, particularly in respect to the invasion of Ukraine, the book brings together diverse viewpoints. A Psychoanalytic Study of Political Leadership in the United States and Russia will be of great interest to psychoanalysts and to readers seeking to understand the complex dynamics of populist leadership"-- Provided by publisher.