Put another way, Putins autocracy is a cunning blend of ruling ideas from the old Soviet regime with many of the material pleasures of capitalist life, a form of government for strongmen who did their homework. And just as they accept that freer markets are more efficient than planned economies, and that pining for foreign goods is not treason, Putin and his circle understand that Russias people can say what they wish in their kitchens without endangering the state. This allows for democratic pretenses with centralized rule and insider access to the profits of governing. The Kremlin today does not control everything. It does not try to. Putins circle exerts control over the profits of the most lucrative industries, and bares its teeth at actual threats to power. Repression is no longer total. It is precise, and its weight is brought down, often publicly, on the few who stand up to the state. esquire/features/75-most-influential/vladimir-putin-1008?click=smart&kw=ist&src=smart&mag=ESQ&link=esquire/features/75-most-influential/vladimir-putin-1008
Posted on: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 15:52:31 +0000
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