I huvudet på Putin. Hur världsbild och värderingar styr politiskt agerande. En fallstudie av Putins beslut att annektera Krim.

Sammanfattning: This research is a case study of Russia's annexation of the peninsula of Crimea in 2014. The annexation of Crimea is one of many conspicuous actions by Russia during later years with President Vladimir Putin as the decisive executor. With the annexation of Crimea as a basis for the analysis, this research aims to understand and explain the psychological aspects of Putin’s decision to incorporate Crimea into Russia. Two psychological theories are employed for this purpose; Psychological Factors Affecting Foreign Policy Decisions from the book “Understanding Foreign Policy Decision Making” (2010) written by Alex Mintz and Karl Jr, DeRouen, professors in international relations. The second one is a so-called belief-system by Alexander George from the book “The word in their minds” (2002) by Yaacov Y.I. Vertzberger. The empirical material consists mainly of academic literature, journalistic material and the Russian state’s own documentary film “The Way Home”. A plausible conclusion is that the theories presented above well explain Putin´s actions. His actions are derived mainly from psychological factors, his set of values and a belief-system with the pillar being the world is in disharmony and hence, his operational actions being a consequence of this.