From a young Russian journalist: "Why We Russians find Putin so great." Worth reading.

[pampango]

16. The support of or nostalgia for 'strong leaders' has a long history - Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Mao

and even Reagan (the "morning in America" BS) in the eyes of some. I think that support/nostalgia is much more prevalent on the right but some of it exists everywhere.

Most 'strong leaders' have been popular because they 'restore pride in or fear of' the country. That is usually based on a strong military if not actual invasions.

From the OP:

"The Russian mass media portray Putin as an infallible hero.

Vladimir Putin is our new national hero. But at the same time, we know that his politics at their core are undemocratic. He is concentrating power in the country, and who opposes him publicly has the entire State apparatus as an enemy. Moreover, Putin doesn't change anything with regard to the fundamental problems of our country: creeping corruption, lack of justice and the backwardness of our economy.

We don't even mention the role of Russia in the eastern Ukraine. We are quite clearly part of the great wave of patriotism that has swept Russia. Even as Putin's policies choke off our freedom bit by bit. But no one resists. The old notion that Russia needs a strong leader is very much alive.

But still, say many Russians full of pride, the rest of the world pays attention to Russia. The world outside Russia has respect for Russia, yes, they even fear Russia. Thanks to Putin."

You could substitute any of the leaders above for "Putin" and get the same sentiments expressed by people in those countries at the time.

It always seems to boil down to nationalism/patriotism and "us vs them". "Us" (Russians, Germans, Italians, Chinese, Americans) against "Them" (the US, EU, France, the UK, the West, Islamic terrorists). Heck even Bush was popular during the wave of patriotism that followed 9/11. He played the patriotism, "us vs them" card very well, although it cause him big problems in the long run.