Russian democracy is work in progress

Adux · 12-16-2007, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Russian democracy is work in progress

By Clifford J. Levy Published: December 16, 2007

MOSCOW: The Russian people, Dostoyevsky once said, believe so fervently in an all-powerful czar that this ideal "is bound to influence the whole future course of our history." And so it was that the heir to this tradition, President Vladimir Putin, went before the cameras last week to show that he had in fact broken with the old ways and was as progressive as any leader in the West.

The scene, though, left a different impression.

Heads of four political parties (supposedly independent, but all creatures of the Kremlin) sat before Putin and revealed to him their choice for president. Putin accepted the decision (though he himself had clearly made it). He praised the candidate (his longtime lieutenant) and suggested that the nomination reflected the views of a broad variety of Russians (none of whom had been given any say in the process).

Artifice plays a role in politics everywhere, yet Russia seems to have adopted a kind of imitation of democracy. It is as if a veneer of legitimacy has been put on a variation of the strongman rule present here for centuries, whether under Peter the Great, Lenin or Putin himself.

A parliamentary election was held this month in which many parties took part, but only Putin's, United Russia, received glowing television news coverage and other government favors; it won in a landslide. Over in the executive branch, the Kremlin on Monday orchestrated the nomination for president of Putin's aide, Dmitri Medvedev, who is all but assured of winning the March election.

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The endorsement lets Putin say that he is abiding by term limits, just like an American president. Yet a day later, Medvedev announced that he wanted Putin to be his prime minister. While the rules are being followed, Putin seems, at least for now, to be retaining control.

Hovering over all these events is the question of why Putin and others in the Kremlin even bother with the democratic trappings. Given that Putin is highly popular, that the Russian public has long clung to a potent chieftain, why not just pack the Parliament, amend the Constitution and stay another term?

Putin appears in part motivated by a need to be seen on the world stage as a lawfully elected leader as genuine as his partners in the Group of Eight. There is an element of Russian pride in this sentiment. Having purportedly embraced democracy, the Kremlin cannot tolerate being told it does elections any less properly than the West.

Nor does Putin care to be lumped with the presidents-for-life reigning in some other former Soviet republics.

"He still has this desire to look like a civilized Russian modernizer," said Lilia Shevtsova, an analyst at the Moscow office of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. "The Russian political elite, including Putin, would like to be personally integrated into the Western structure, the Western community."

(This impulse, by the way, is not new. Dostoyevsky, who praised the Russian people's love for their czar, also bemoaned what he said was the Russian elite's longing to be in the West's good graces.)

Putin may also have concluded that he can spurn the spirit of the law only so much before governance turns into a free-for-all that might put him more at the whims of the Kremlin's competing clans.

Some analysts speculate that Putin and his associates fear making overtly autocratic moves, lest the West retaliate in ways that could hurt Russia's economic revival. This view is not entirely satisfying; American and European companies do plenty of business with Saudi Arabia, China and other authoritarian countries.

But there could be a more personal wrinkle: senior Kremlin officials may worry that they would be personally banned from traveling to the West and that their personal finances might be imperiled.

For their part, the Russian people have shown no great hunger for Western-style democracy. Polls indicate that if Putin stayed on for another term, he would be greeted with little dissent and something akin to relief or applause.

Still, it would be a mistake to say that Russians yearn for authoritarianism, or that the country is generally reverting to Soviet-style repression. While the Kremlin dominates television and has cracked down on the opposition, a diversity of voices flourishes in newspapers, where criticism of Putin is not uncommon, not to mention on the Internet.

It could be argued that Putin, in declining to become a full-blown, constitution-shredding autocrat, is demonstrating that he is more democratically oriented than most Russians. This contrast was noted even by one arch-foe, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the billionaire who was arrested after publicly challenging the Kremlin.

In a 2004 letter from prison, where he is still being held, Khodorkovsky lamented: "Putin certainly is no liberal and no democrat, but nonetheless, he is more liberal and democratic than 70 percent of the population of our country."

The turmoil after the fall of Communism seems to have deepened Russia's tendency to be drawn to a strong leader, leaving it with a kind of post-traumatic stress disorder. Russians these days crave stability, consumer goods and travel - the things they were denied before.

Vyacheslav Nikonov, president of the Politika Foundation, a Moscow research institute, said political structures were still developing, the rule of law was shaky and people in power did not have accountability. As a result, the government's shape and character are molded, to a large extent, by the leaders' instincts about what the people expect and will bear.

"Every country has a genetic code," Nikonov said. "In many societies, the patterns of government last for centuries, or last for a millennium, and I think that Russia is the same. There is quite a strong tradition of undivided government. There is only one thing that Russians do not like in their leaders. That is weakness.

"The institutions are still not here; they are immature. Still, for a 15-year-old democracy, Russia is doing well. In Germany, they elected Hitler exactly on the 15th year of democracy."

Putin himself, while regularly praising what he says are the strides Russia has made in recent years, occasionally seems to be pleading for patience, as if he were acknowledging that the democracy Russia has put in place is not the real thing.

"This road is not simple," he said in September. "It takes time and the right groundwork and conditions.

"We need to ensure that our economic transformations bring about the growth of the middle class, which is to a large extent the standard bearer of this ideology. This is something that takes time and cannot be achieved overnight."

Russian democracy is work in progress - International Herald Tribune

An excellent well- balanced article, good read though it doesnt go into much depth

braindead · 12-16-2007, 10:41 AM

Medvedjev will probably end like one of his successors , Mihhail Kalinin . Everybody knew Stalin , but probably few knew who was the official head of Sov.Union .

. Medvedjev will probably spend his term sharpening pencils alone in his office ....

Feanor · 12-16-2007, 15:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by braindead

Medvedjev will probably end like one of his successors , Mihhail Kalinin . Everybody knew Stalin , but probably few knew who was the official head of Sov.Union .

. Medvedjev will probably spend his term sharpening pencils alone in his office ....

I don't think I agree about Kalinin. Inside the Union Kalinin was well known. Hell Kaliningrad was named after him.

Alex_Ivanov · 12-17-2007, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feanor

I don't think I agree about Kalinin. Inside the Union Kalinin was well known. Hell Kaliningrad was named after him.

I think braindead means everybody knew Kalinin, but he wasn't percieved head of state, since real power was in Stalin's hands. As for Medvedev - I don't think it's exactly the same case.

I feel everybody tries to ajust conclusions to expectations. The logic is the following. Putin wants to keep power - he needs weak president - he supported Medvedev - that means Medvedev is that weak president Putin will be able to manipulate. The problem is - the first point is arguable and that makes all conclusions groundless.

Adux · 12-17-2007, 08:13 AM

Just a thought: What if Putin is a true patriot, and Putin & his team has put in place a plan for Russia to get back to its legs as a super power. As far as things stand, he hasnt broken any laws, nor has he shown any interest in retaining power. Who is the alternative to Putin in URP, not for President but to be a power man, and keep the politicans from the control of Oligarchs.

Feanor · 12-17-2007, 14:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adux

Just a thought: What if Putin is a true patriot, and Putin & his team has put in place a plan for Russia to get back to its legs as a super power. As far as things stand, he hasnt broken any laws, nor has he shown any interest in retaining power. Who is the alternative to Putin in URP, not for President but to be a power man, and keep the politicans from the control of Oligarchs.

Limonov comes to mind, Udaltsev...... there us plenty of healthy forces within Russia, interested in a genuine revival instead of a huge Russistan with nukes AND oil/gas.

braindead · 12-17-2007, 15:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feanor

Limonov comes to mind, Udaltsev...... there us plenty of healthy forces within Russia, interested in a genuine revival instead of a huge Russistan with nukes AND oil/gas.

Limonov - hell , even Zhirinovski seems to have more brains and credibility...

Adux · 12-17-2007, 15:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feanor

interested in a genuine revival instead of a huge Russistan with nukes AND oil/gas.

Whats wrong with that, as long as the military spending is inside 3-4% of the GDP.

Feanor · 12-17-2007, 20:21 PM

Well note the title ''Work in Progress''. Where's the progress?

As for ''whats wrong with that?'' I think most Russians would want to see our country as something more then a giant oil pump. Think about what happens when the oil runs out or is no longer used?

Alex_Ivanov · 12-18-2007, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feanor

I think most Russians would want to see our country as something more then a giant oil pump. Think about what happens when the oil runs out or is no longer used?

That is what we're doing. First stage - accumulating wealth (we may say it was completed in 2007), second stage - massive investments into infrastructure, third stage - re-liberalization.

Feanor · 12-18-2007, 15:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex_Ivanov

That is what we're doing. First stage - accumulating wealth (we may say it was completed in 2007), second stage - massive investments into infrastructure, third stage - re-liberalization.

Where is the incentive for the oligarchs with their massive wealth, to invest it into infrastructure, and then allow the nation to liberalize? Wouldn't it be much easier and safer for them to just keep their wealth, keep pumping oil and gas, and not bother with petty things like infrastructure or liberalization.

Adux · 12-18-2007, 15:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feanor

Where is the incentive for the oligarchs with their massive wealth, to invest it into infrastructure, and then allow the nation to liberalize? Wouldn't it be much easier and safer for them to just keep their wealth, keep pumping oil and gas, and not bother with petty things like infrastructure or liberalization.

Oil and Gas is not the only way to make wealth. Oligarchs nor is the Russian Government is stupid. If I were a Oligarch's, I would think "hmm Telecommunications, Why not?

Alex_Ivanov · 12-18-2007, 17:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feanor

Wouldn't it be much easier and safer for them to just keep their wealth, keep pumping oil and gas, and not bother with petty things like infrastructure or liberalization.

Oligarchs aren't the point. Some were eliminated and others were taken under control. Now they take part in state-inspired projects, and invest where state wants them to invest - it's like buying an indulgence. It's undemocratic system, corporate state, but it works for today. In 10-15 years, after imortance of oil&gas for Russian economy further decreases, I expext re-liberalisation of economy.

Feanor · 12-18-2007, 21:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex_Ivanov

Oligarchs aren't the point. Some were eliminated and others were taken under control. Now they take part in state-inspired projects, and invest where state wants them to invest - it's like buying an indulgence. It's undemocratic system, corporate state, but it works for today. In 10-15 years, after imortance of oil&gas for Russian economy further decreases, I expext re-liberalisation of economy.

State sponsored projects? Hmm. So the government will continue to ignore it's own laws, eliminate and take under control representatives of independent financial structures, and of course independent media and opposition groups to prevent anyone from sabotaging the course

then after having taken control of all the above mentioned why tell me again will they re-liberalize?

Firral · 12-19-2007, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feanor

State sponsored projects? Hmm. So the government will continue to ignore it's own laws, eliminate and take under control representatives of independent financial structures, and of course independent media and opposition groups to prevent anyone from sabotaging the course

then after having taken control of all the above mentioned why tell me again will they re-liberalize?

And unless in the world there are completely independent financial structures? Only if they also are the government.
We tried to allow to develop to economy without the control. Result - full breakdown of 90th years.

12-16-2007, 10:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
braindead Lost in Translation *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 11-30-06 Location: estonia Posts: 1,260 Country:	Medvedjev will probably end like one of his successors , Mihhail Kalinin . Everybody knew Stalin , but probably few knew who was the official head of Sov.Union . . Medvedjev will probably spend his term sharpening pencils alone in his office .... __________________ ....

12-17-2007, 08:13 AM	#5 (permalink)
Adux Banished Join Date: 07-29-05 Location: Cochin Posts: 2,931 Country:	Just a thought: What if Putin is a true patriot, and Putin & his team has put in place a plan for Russia to get back to its legs as a super power. As far as things stand, he hasnt broken any laws, nor has he shown any interest in retaining power. Who is the alternative to Putin in URP, not for President but to be a power man, and keep the politicans from the control of Oligarchs. Last edited by Adux : 12-17-2007 at 08:16 AM.

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12-17-2007, 20:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
Feanor Banished Join Date: 06-12-07 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,385 Country:	Well note the title ''Work in Progress''. Where's the progress? As for ''whats wrong with that?'' I think most Russians would want to see our country as something more then a giant oil pump. Think about what happens when the oil runs out or is no longer used?

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