Russian Views on Democracy

BZM · #1 (**permalink**) 11-28-2007, 04:01 AM

The Financial Times published an interesting article on Democracy in Russia by Quentin Peel. It is unique in terms of Russian election coverage over the last few days because it does not moan about Kasparov's arrest, but instead explains Russians' views on Democracy and details the actual chances of various political parties in the upcoming elections. Of note is that Kasparov's Other Russia is not even mentioned in the article. Why does Gary get some much western press coverage when he is not even listed along with parties which will likely only receive 1 to 2% of the vote?

Quote:

...[v]ery few people seem to care [democratic politics have simply not taken root in Russia]. Three of the four parties with any chance of clearing the 7 per cent hurdle to win seats in the Duma are artificial creations of the Kremlin: United Russia (founded in 2001 by a bunch of pro-Putin provincial governors), Just Russia launched last year to fill a perceived vacuum on the centre-left, and the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, led by the populist nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky... The exception is the rump of the old Soviet Communist party, which represents the only serious opposition to Mr Putin...

That is right, the only real opposition is the Communist party, which is almost never mentioned in any article on Russian elections. Gary Kasparov's chances of winning under complete freedom of the press are a fabrication of the western press' own fantasies and delusions of self importance.

Quote:

All the other political parties, far more committed to “normal” democratic debate, such as the pro-market Union of Right Forces (SPS), and the economically liberal Yabloko group, are likely to gain no more than 1 per cent or 2 per cent of the poll. They are blamed for the chaos of economic reform in the 1990s.

Yeltsin's rule characterized by the Bimorphic Black Monster

List of all eligible parties in the 2007 Russian Duma elections

The groups the west loves will likely receive only one to two percent of the vote! Why does the press bother to write so much about this doomed opposition? A quick look at the Wikipedia entry on the American 2004 election does not list Ralph Nader at the top with Bush and Kerry (or the other candidates' gallery) because Ralph had no chance. Before any readers can say, "but Putin has taken control of the press!" Quentin Peel goes on to describe poll results of Russian views on democracy:

Quote:

Russian voters are confused and often contradictory about the meaning of democracy. In an opinion poll conducted by Levada Center Research for the EU-Russia Centre in February, 65 per cent of the sample were unable to describe what “liberal democracy” means. They were also unsure it was relevant.

On the one hand, 45 per cent said it might benefit Russia, against 30 per cent who believed it was “not suitable” and 12 per cent who thought it actually “pernicious” or “destructive”. When asked what political system they thought was most appropriate for Russia, 35 per cent said “the Soviet system we had before the 1990s” and 26 per cent said “The current system”. Only 16 per cent opted for “democracy based on the western model”.

Thanks to Quentin Peel and the Financial Times for publishing one of the few rational and objective articles about the upcoming elections in Russia and Russians' views on democracy. Link to article:
FT.com / Quentin Peel / Between The Lines - Harsh truth of Russian democracy

Yahoo also published an article showing that 64% of 18-24 year olds think Putin is taking Russia in the correct direction and 79% will vote for United Russia.

b3zdomny · #2 (**permalink**) 11-28-2007, 04:46 AM

thank you for bringing us this refreshing perspective. Sure, I wish Russians enjoyed the benefits of true plurality of representation and media, but it's just that-- wishful thinking-- when 35% of Russians surveyed want to revert to the Soviet model! Besides, given the inequities-- especially the rise of the oligarchs-- and impoverishment of the 1990's, it's not hard to imagine why Russians prefer Putin's "managed democracy" or even its Soviet forerunner.

Best regards,

Bezdomny

minaev · #3 (**permalink**) 11-28-2007, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b3zdomny

it's just that-- wishful thinking-- when 35% of Russians surveyed want to revert to the Soviet model! Besides, given the inequities-- especially the rise of the oligarchs-- and impoverishment of the 1990's, it's not hard to imagine why Russians prefer Putin's "managed democracy" or even its Soviet forerunner.

I believe you are correct saying that the inequity and injustice of the 1990s are one of the main reasons why Russians dislike this period of our recent history. But, on the other hand, had they only known that the gap in the incomes of the 10% of the richest and the 10% of the poorest has grown from 12 times to 16 times during the Putin's rule, they might have changed their views on what is just and what is not. So, IMHO, the worst Russian problem is not the lack of democracy, not the persecutions of the dissidents, but the lack of information -- comprehensive, critical, balanced information.

From this point of view, I think that the direction the West should take is not the criticism during eye-to-eye meetings with Putin, but the resumption of the Cold War practice of informing the Russian citizens. Voice of America, Radio Liberty, BBC and others did a great job. What we need is a number of Russian-speaking, Russia-oriented satellite TV channels, supplying the missing information to the Russian citizens.

BZM · #4 (**permalink**) 11-28-2007, 09:19 AM

Thanks for coming back and commenting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by minaev

From this point of view, I think that the direction the West should take is not the criticism during eye-to-eye meetings with Putin, but the resumption of the Cold War practice of informing the Russian citizens. Voice of America, Radio Liberty, BBC and others did a great job. What we need is a number of Russian-speaking, Russia-oriented satellite TV channels, supplying the missing information to the Russian citizens.

Do you believe that most Russians would actually believe the information presented by the such formats today? Aren't most Russians rather disillusioned with democracy and the US? I think they are, so I think most Russians would take any information from the US today with a grain of salt. I can't find the poll right now, but most Russians actually believe that the United States tried to intentionally damage Russia in the 1990s.

minaev · #5 (**permalink**) 11-28-2007, 02:10 PM

Right. The problem is to make these news programs "fashionable"

. I will leave the solution of the problem to the PR specialists.

An indirect proof that this is possible is this excerpt from a KGB report of 1976: "80% of university students and 90% of undergraduate schoolchildren listen foreign radiostations regularly (32% of univesity students and 59% of schoolchildren listen them 1-2 times a week and even more often."

Besides, it should not be necessarily a government-sponsored TV station. It could be based, for example, on RTVi satellite channel. On the other hand, I'd rather see TV Liberty. I am sure that the best Russian journalists from the New Times magazine, Novaya Gazeta, ex-NTV would be glad to help.

I've heard that the EU is planning to launch a similar channel for Belarus -- Belsat.

r2d2 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-16-2007, 12:58 AM

Untitled Document

New Russian opposition, you should look into it well.

BZM · #7 (**permalink**) 12-16-2007, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r2d2

Untitled Document

New Russian opposition, you should look into it well.

Are you serious? Sounds like a scam if you ask me even if intentions are good. Personally, I don't plan to give money to any Russian Political candidate because I can't vote in the Russian elections.

Any links to more information about yourself? Any information in Russian about yourself? At least give your web page a title!

Why are you using free web hosting? I would think people would want to support a winner.