tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762306601925200499.post6174369397588061369..comments2023-10-22T09:31:01.841-04:00Comments on Bear in a Hat: A blog from Stetson's Program in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies: The State of Democracy in RussiaUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-762306601925200499.post-90623986119775360402007-09-16T16:13:00.000-04:002007-09-16T16:13:00.000-04:00Hm. I like Schorr. I don't really disagree with mu...Hm. I like Schorr. I don't really disagree with much that he says, though he overlooks all the possible permutations that Putin could also put into play in order ot maintain power.<BR/><BR/>One thing that drives me a bit crazy, tho, is the way the US media treats Russia as some unpredictable Asiatic khanate (down to Churchill's anaology of a sphinx). I mean, given the right frame, you could describe politics in the US -- the Republicans' (or the Democrats') machinations-- in a similarly sinister light. Is it ANY WONDER that Putin wants to hold on to power? And how is it antidemocratic, in a country where Putin enjoys 80% popularity? (Compared to Bush's Nixonian 25%!)<BR/><BR/>In the end, I bet back in the nineties Schorr was also bemoaning how unready Russia was for democracy; well, Putin has managed to bring a level of stability and prosperity ($80 oil helps) to Russia that has been missing for decades. <BR/><BR/>Is it any wonder that the Russians don't want him to leave?Dr. Michael A. Dennerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11819044743233411709noreply@blogger.com