Putin the Great

LafayetteBis · Aug 2, 2018

From the Guardian: Vladimir Putin’s Russia is a creaking ship

In fact, there are three Russias. The first is Putin’s Russia, built on an oligarchic power structure and its massive propaganda machine. The second is the average man’s Russia, with its many facets but also its common problems. The third is of the professional elites and upper-middle class, who benefited from the economic boom of the 2000s and now have much to lose.

The overwhelming majority of Russia’s 140 million people worry about declining living standards, falling health and education levels, material insecurity, and corruption. A few weeks ago, protests erupted in many regions and across social classes against a government plan to raise the pension age (polls show that eight out of 10 Russians oppose the reform). This demonstrated a swell of mistrust in the authorities, with many people doubting that the Putin system has their best interests at heart.

Furthermore, sociologists at the independent Levada Centre in Moscow point to a rising pessimism. Despite TV propaganda – or perhaps because of it – more and more Russians say they are gloomy about their personal prospects, as well as about the country’s future. There is also concern about military involvement in Ukraine and Syria, and the toll these conflicts are having on young soldiers.

Putin’s situation is in fact the classic problem faced by authoritarian leaders. He needs to exhibit popular legitimacy in order to convince his own inner circle, as well as potential rivals, that he’s invincible and irreplaceable. A narrative of high approval ratings (allegedly between 80 and 85%) was essential to impose a “landslide victory” in the pre-determined March presidential vote, which explains why a serious contender like Alexei Navalny was not allowed to run.

Independent analysts and election observers are still looking into the scale of the fraud that occurred in that vote, as well as the degree of political control exerted on millions of voters. In today’s Russia it takes courage to expose manipulations and debunk some of the myths attached to Putin’s popularity. Real, sincere voting patterns, free of pressure and rigging, seem to have emerged as follows: over 40% of the electorate abstained, 20% voted for a “small candidate”, and a little less than 40% voted for the president.
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Diuretic · Aug 2, 2018

They need another revolution.

cerberus · Aug 2, 2018

The Guardian, slagging off President Putin - what a surprise!

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Putin the Great

LafayetteBis Well-Known Member Past Donor

Diuretic Well-Known Member

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Putin the Great

LafayetteBis Well-Known Member Past Donor

Diuretic Well-Known Member

cerberus Well-Known Member Past Donor

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