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So much of the news this year has been hopeless, depressing and above all confusing.

To which the only response is oh dear.

But what this film is going to suggest is that that defeatist response has become a central part of a new system of political control.

And to understand how this is happening, you have to look to Russia and to a man called Vladislav Serkov, who is a hero of our time.

Serkov is one of President Putin's advisors and has helped him maintain his power for 15 years.

But he has done it in a very new way.

Vladimir Vladimirovich, Putin!

He came originally from the Avogard Art World.

And those who have studied his career say that what Serkov has done is import ideas from conceptual art into the very heart of politics.

His aim is to undermine people's perception of the world.

So they never know what is really happening.

Serkov turned Russian politics into a bewildering, constantly changing piece of theatre.

He sponsored all kinds of groups, from neo-Nazi's skinheads to liberal human rights groups.

He even backed parties that were opposed to President Putin.

But the key thing was that Serkov then let it be known that this was what he was doing.

Which meant that no one was sure what was real or fake.

As one journalist put it, it's a strategy of power that keeps any opposition constantly confused.

A ceaseless shapeshifting that is unstoppable because it's indefinable.

Welcome to the Michael Brooks Show where broadcasting live from Brooklyn, New York, where left is best with Super Producer Matt Leck.

You had the Artician, David Grishkum.

Good evening.

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