What do you think of modern Russia?

[SamiBTX]

Time's "Person of the Year" choice signifies that Russia's returning.

Puitin is soooo much more respectible that Yeltsin ever was, I can't believe they even
kept him around through the 90s. Putin has brought in money & capitalism to Russia,
but not in the "we love the West" sense that other nations have done.
So it could be much worse.

[BobKKKindle$]

Contemporary Russia poses a somewhat difficult problem for me, as the SWP was the only party to welcome the collapse of the USSR as a progressive development, on the grounds that the collapse of a government which claimed to be socialist would open a new space, for the development of a more radical movement, which would pose a challenge to the emergence of capitalism, while at the same time recognizing the previous system as a poor represenation of what socialists actually envision.

This predicted radicalisation has not occurred (and in this respect the SWP leadership was simply wrong) and many Russians are beginning to turn to nationalism, as evidenced by increasing attacks on migrants, and broad support for Vladimir Putin, who is allegedly willing to stand up to the US' imperial designs. Although Russia has experienced several years of high economic growth, the material benefits of this growth have not spread beyond the small group of oligarchs who established control of the country's industries following the privitisation of state enterprises in 1991, and benefits are also restricted to a small area in the western part of the country. This could mean that the potential for radicalism exists, but there are no signs that the russian working class is beginning to develop consciousness, perhaps due to the absence of a strong revolutionary party, and a general desire for stability, even at the expense of democracy, given the socioeconomic changes in the past decade.

It is important, in my view, not to over-emphasise the differences between the current Russian government and the previous regime, as there are in fact many similarities, especially in terms of the composition of the state - many leading officials in the USSR were able to maintain their positions, or become appointed heads of private companies, following the change of government. This suggests that the USSR was in fact a capitalist society, and that the new Russia is simply a different form of capitalism, and a product of a political transfer of power (as distinct from a change in the mode of production). However, that's another debate - in the theory forum, actually.

[Holden Caulfield]

its not really a suprise that after 300 years of Romanov autocrats, then another 80 (give or take a few leaders) of soviet dictators that the Russian people would chose a strong quasi-dictator as a leader and its ignorant reactionism towards nationalism,

many equate communism with the negatives from the USSR, and so move away from it,
same thing happened in eastern europe after the curtain fell, due to bad times under the USSR they threw themselves into the arms of a demon under a different name (in that case USA, NATO)

we can hope that the fact Putin is a opressive wanker who prostitutes his nations resources out to benafit the few already rich people will lead to more popular wide spread left wing support

[Lenin II]

I am not exactly an expert on Vladimir Putin. I would love to hear from some comrades who are from/know something about Russia. Exactly what are his policies? Are they even the least bit revolutionary? I've heard people say Russia is slowly going back to communism, but I have no evidence to suppor tthis claim. Is he progressive? Conservative? Exceptionally capitalist? He seems to be charismatic and well-loved, and of course there's the anti-imperialism to consider. But I'm not clear on why he was elected Person of the Year.

[spartan]

I am not exactly an expert on Vladimir Putin. I would love to hear from some comrades who are from/know something about Russia. Exactly what are his policies? Are they even the least bit revolutionary? I've heard people say Russia is slowly going back to communism, but I have no evidence to suppor tthis claim. Is he progressive? Conservative? Exceptionally capitalist? He seems to be charismatic and well-loved, and of course there's the anti-imperialism to consider. But I'm not clear on why he was elected Person of the Year.

The only people accusing him of "Communism" are old American Conservatives, of the Reagan type, who think that any nationalisation of industries is "Communist".

That and the fact that Putin is making Russia a superpower to be feared once again since the fall of the USSR, marks him as an enemy of the American Capitalist Imperialist project for complete world domination of the international Capitalist market.

Dont be fooled by the rhetoric though as this is just a squabble between Capitalists vying for a better financial position in the world.

[SamiBTX]

I am not exactly an expert on Vladimir Putin. I would love to hear from some comrades who are from/know something about Russia. Exactly what are his policies? Are they even the least bit revolutionary? I've heard people say Russia is slowly going back to communism, but I have no evidence to suppor tthis claim. Is he progressive? Conservative? Exceptionally capitalist? He seems to be charismatic and well-loved, and of course there's the anti-imperialism to consider. But I'm not clear on why he was elected Person of the Year.


Let's see, I'm not sure if you remember but in 2001 Bush met with Putin & (Bush) made that famous comment that he looked into Putin's soul.:rolleyes:

He's an ex-KGB man which has gotten him alot flack, mainly by Westerners & Russian "democrats."
He's apparenty a very serious person from what I've heard.
He's been accused of being involved in the killing of two of his opponents,
the poisoning of a defector in London & a shooting death of a journalist,
but I personally don't think he sat down with some hitmen & said "let's hit these people."

I hope I helped.;)