Russian democracy and American Reality

The last week has been a huge step backwards for freedom and democracy in Russia. In an effort to strengthen the Russian government against Chechan/Islamist terror, Putin has proposed reforms that would conveniently solidify his seat of power. The Christian Science Monitor has a run down of (mostly left wing) response to the reforms here. While Putin is largely to blame, there are some larger historical issues at play as well.

Russia is not a nation used to freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, the right to vote in honest elections, etc. Authoritarianism is woven tightly into the national fabric. These freedoms were quite literally thrust upon them in the early 1990’s, and they have not had the chance to grow strong roots. This is not to say that Russians do not love these freedoms, or even to say that there are Russians who will sacrifice for these rights. Instead, for the common Russian, democracy is part and parcel with capitalism. Capitalism is very tightly wound to organized crime. Organized crime is in the shadows with government. The entire thing has a bit of a dirty patina to it. This slide back to authoritarianism likely seems very natural to many Russians, and that means Putin’s attempts at consolidation of power are very low risk, because he likely will not face retribution from the Russian people.

If anyone is to blame for the shallow roots of freedom and democracy in Russia, it is Boris Yeltsin. When Yeltsin first became a household name across the country, he looked like a strong and heroic leader who would plant a strong oak of freedom in Russia. After he stood up to the Soviet coup attempt, he became a shining light of hope. After the USSR dissolved, however, and Yeltsin became the most powerful man of the former Societ Republics, that all began to change. He introduced new freedoms to Russia, but he did so too quickly, he did not back it up with sufficient authority. Crime, black markets, and organized crime quickly blossomed as the Russian economy struggled to adapt to capitalism. Yeltsin himself became a caricature and a joke with his drinking problems and his frequent health problems. The man who looked like he may be his country’s George Washington instead became its George Thurogood (One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer).

The Russian slide may be too advanced to halt now. In regards to Russia, we may have to resort back to a policy of realpolitik. Since we can’t stop power consolidation without the outrage of the Russian populace, then we need to look at how we can benefit from this. The way we will is by developing a tight ally in the war on terror. That means that we will have to silently endure a lot of things inside Russia that we as Americans find abhorrent. I close this post by referring to the serenity prayer. As Americans in regards to Russia, we need the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference.