Sergei Guriev: Spin Dictators, Information Wars, and the Conflict in Ukraine

In recent decades, a new generation of media-savvy authoritarian leaders has emerged. They have adapted their strategies to a digitally connected and information-driven world. These rulers, often called “Spin Dictators”, maintain control not through violence or fear but through careful manipulation of media narratives and public opinion.

The concept of Spin Dictators is crucial for understanding how modern autocrats sustain power while appearing democratic. In this discussion, Sergei Guriev, co-author of Spin Dictators: The Changing Face of Tyranny in the 21st Century, joins Maiting Zhuang, Assistant Professor at the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE).

Sergei Guriev on Spin Dictators and Putin’s Shift to Fear Dictatorship

Sergei Guriev, Professor of Economics at Sciences Po, explains how modern autocrats differ from their 20th-century predecessors. Instead of relying solely on repression, Spin Dictators use propaganda, controlled media, and strategic disinformation to build legitimacy.

However, Guriev argues that Vladimir Putin’s transformation from a “Spin Dictator” into a “Fear Dictator” marks a turning point. As the Russia-Ukraine war continues, both repression and censorship have intensified. Consequently, the spin-based model of control is collapsing, giving way to classic fear-driven authoritarianism. This shift demonstrates how fragile image-based regimes can be once truth and credibility begin to erode.

Economic and Media Implications for Russia

During the conversation, Guriev analyzes how the war in Ukraine has transformed Russia’s economy and information environment.  The suppression of independent media has forced citizens to rely on state-controlled news outlets. As a result, the gap between perception and reality continues to widen. The shift from Spin Dictator to Fear Dictator shows the regime’s rising insecurity and declining legitimacy. Therefore, understanding this transition is essential for policymakers, journalists, and citizens seeking to grasp the new dynamics of modern authoritarianism.

About Sergei Guriev

Sergei Guriev is a Russian economist and Professor of Economics at Sciences Po. From 2016 to 2019, he served as Chief Economist at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Before that, he was the Rector of the New Economic School (NES) in Moscow, where he also held the Morgan Stanley Professorship in Economics.

In addition, Guriev is a co-founder of True Russia, an organization that collects donations for Ukrainian refugees and promotes freedom of speech and democratic values. He is also known for his outspoken criticism of the Russia-Ukraine war, making him one of the most prominent academic voices on authoritarianism and democracy today.

About Maiting Zhuang

Maiting Zhuang is an Assistant Professor at the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE) and an Affiliated Researcher at the Mistra Center for Sustainable Markets. She received her PhD from the Paris School of Economics in 2020.

Her research focuses on Political Economy, Development Economics, and the Economics of Media. Moreover, her work sheds light on how information systems sustain or undermine authoritarian regimes, aligning closely with Guriev’s analysis of Spin Dictators.

Explore More on Sergei Guriev Spin Dictators

To learn more, watch the full discussion with Sergei Guriev and Maiting Zhuang. 

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in policy briefs and other publications are those of the authors; they do not necessarily reflect those of the FREE Network and its research institutes.