In Moscow's Shadows In Moscow's Shadows 240: Frankenstein's Putinism
Mar 15, 2026
A dive into attempts to craft a custom, poll-driven political creed and whether engineered ideology can stick. A rundown of Alexander Kharichev’s ‘DNA of Russia’ values pyramid and five civilizational priorities. A look at the five existential threats Moscow worries about and the segmented audience map used to sell the vision. Conversation about why the Kremlin is pushing a packaged ideology and whether it will feel authentic.
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Kharichev Is The Presidential Technologist
- Alexander Kharichev is a presidential administration political technologist building a state-backed ideology project.
- He runs polling, focuses on regional campaigns, chairs state polling VTsIOM board and now heads social process monitoring in the Administration.
DNA Of Russia Is A Funded Identity Project
- Kharichev's 'DNA of Russia' project uses focus groups and polls to manufacture a 'scientific' cultural identity.
- He warns against armchair theories and presents a funded, ostensibly empirical program to define Russian values.
Value Based Sovereignty Over Materialism
- Kharichev promotes 'value-based sovereignty' prioritizing spiritual values, paternalism and sacralised state power over material comforts.
- He appeals to transcendent goals and collective sacrifice as Russia's competitive advantage versus Western rationalism.
