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Luturb
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 4042
Location: Livermore, California
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 Posted: 12/17/03 - 18:22 Post subject: Democracy failing in Russia?
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Interesting article: http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=2282403
| Quote: | | The Duma that results is a democrat's nightmare: three parties whose only ideologies are an almost slavish loyalty to President Vladimir Putin and varying degrees of nationalism, plus one made of the dregs of seven decades of totalitarian rule. The two liberal parties were always small and their democratic credentials were often dubious; but, if ineffectual, they were at least loud. With so few seats, they will have even less influence; recovering it will be even harder; and blocking government legislation, good or bad, will be impossible. For the next four years, parliament belongs to Mr Putin and to those around him. |
| Quote: | | To some, all this confirms the suspicions that rather than being a flowering of democracy, the 1990s were just a momentary lapse of Russia's normal authoritarianism. Certainly for the next few years the real power struggles—above all, the fight to succeed Mr Putin—will take place within the pro-Kremlin factions, without serious challenges from outside. The new Duma does, therefore, have at least one advantage: it is reality. “Before, there was just an illusion of democracy,” says Lilia Dubovaya of the SPS. “I honestly don't know if things aren't better this way.” |
Have heard people on the news saying since the last election Putin more or less has full power, with everyone in the Duma supporting him 100%. It would be like if the Republicans had 95% of both houses of congress and were cooperating 100% with George Bush. The only real limit to his power now is the term limit, and there has even been talk of removing that as well. There were widespread accusations of ballot box stuffing in Putin's first election, and with his second one he becomes effectively a dictator. I wonder how this will effect the country, which has been under authoritarian rule for most of their history.
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Luturb
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 4042
Location: Livermore, California
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sinrakin
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 7044
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Posted: 12/17/03 - 18:33 Post subject:
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From what I've read, the country is basically fine with it. It seems like they just don't want to be bothered. Certainly they suffered more under their leaders than we did under King George. Not sure why they don't feel equally determined.
On the other hand, we seem to be leaning in the same direction lately; maybe democracy is actually contrary to human nature. Animals don't have democracy; they just follow the strongest leader.
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Celestra
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 6929
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Posted: 12/17/03 - 18:34 Post subject:
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Putin scares me...
I don't think he has any emotions.
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Janoth
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 17 Nov 2002
Posts: 3135
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Posted: 12/17/03 - 18:40 Post subject:
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Putin is quite possibly the anti christ
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Maelstrom
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 4072
Location: Montréal
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Posted: 12/17/03 - 18:41 Post subject:
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| Janothhhh wrote: | | Putin is quite possibly the anti christ |
Where's Jesus when you need him...
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Janoth
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 17 Nov 2002
Posts: 3135
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Posted: 12/17/03 - 19:15 Post subject:
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I say antichrist as a figure of speach by the way. As in the next Hitler. He is an evil son of a b***h, and I can see it.
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Thuphir
Luke Warm
Joined: 15 Oct 2002
Posts: 206
Location: Baton Rouge
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Posted: 12/17/03 - 19:19 Post subject:
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All the Russians I've ever met overwhelmingly preferred communism.
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Luturb
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 4042
Location: Livermore, California
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Posted: 12/17/03 - 19:23 Post subject:
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| Thuphir wrote: | | All the Russians I've ever met overwhelmingly preferred communism. |
And how many would that be?
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Thuphir
Luke Warm
Joined: 15 Oct 2002
Posts: 206
Location: Baton Rouge
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Posted: 12/17/03 - 19:37 Post subject:
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haha well only 3 that i've spoken to about it, all physics grad students....
They also 'spoke' for their friends and families. "Everybody" preferred it (communism).
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Buntz
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 13 Oct 2002
Posts: 3340
Location: Banner Elk, N.C.
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Posted: 12/17/03 - 22:05 Post subject:
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| Luturb wrote: | | Thuphir wrote: | | All the Russians I've ever met overwhelmingly preferred communism. |
And how many would that be? |
Oh i'm sure alot..
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Tolanin
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 16 Oct 2002
Posts: 3551
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Posted: 12/17/03 - 22:18 Post subject:
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well honestly, if he isnt insane its fine.. no country has ever gotten out of the kind of mess russia is in with a democratic government... in truth a dictatorship can get so much more done than a democracy, its just not quite so stable or nice.
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Thuphir
Luke Warm
Joined: 15 Oct 2002
Posts: 206
Location: Baton Rouge
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Posted: 12/18/03 - 09:05 Post subject:
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| Buntz wrote: | | Luturb wrote: | | Thuphir wrote: | | All the Russians I've ever met overwhelmingly preferred communism. |
And how many would that be? |
Oh i'm sure alot.. |
Wow I guess next time I'll just keep quiet about any relevant first hand opinions I've gathered. Sorry about that! Didn't mean to cause any b*****s' panties to be gathering in wads!
And Bait why do you assume I agree with what they said, I said what the Russians said.. not what I think. You b*****s really need to start thinking and stop getting so offended.
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Plat4PoP
RealPoor Jedi
Joined: 12 Oct 2002
Posts: 14376
Location: USA
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Posted: 02/13/08 - 06:09 Post subject:
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Odus
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 06 Oct 2007
Posts: 2592
Location: Living life :)
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Posted: 02/13/08 - 15:02 Post subject:
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Odus
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 06 Oct 2007
Posts: 2592
Location: Living life :)
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Posted: 02/13/08 - 15:28 Post subject:
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somedude00
Fresh Meat
Joined: 06 Feb 2008
Posts: 9
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TeckMan
Total Newbie
Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Posts: 29
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Posted: 02/15/08 - 18:44 Post subject:
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mmogamer
Banned
Joined: 26 Jan 2008
Posts: 5
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sellinghordedruid
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Joined: 26 Feb 2008
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soris
Total Newbie
Joined: 26 Feb 2008
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