Part 4/8:
By the end of the 1990s, popular disillusionment with democracy became palpable. Under such oppressive conditions, Vladimir Putin emerged as a figure promising restoration and stability. He advocated for a "new deal," redirecting the wealth of oligarchs back into the country rather than letting it flee overseas. In exchange, voters accepted the loss of some freedoms in hopes that he could reconstruct a shattered nation.
Putin's governance brought a renewed sense of order to Russia, making it more functional than it had been in the chaotic years following the Soviet collapse. Despite his controversial methods, including accusations of violence against journalists and political dissenters, he garnered support by delivering on his promise to revitalize the country.