The Kremlin is not afraid of losing an election, because the procedure we're about to witness is not an election. They're afraid of losing control of the country.
The Kyiv Maidan protests started with young people in Nov 2013. Then Yanukovych sent his Titushky to rough them up and chase them off. That brought out more, older protesters to protect the youngsters. The rest is history. Maybe someone in the Kremlin remembered that.
I think it was the historian Barbara Tuchman who pointed out that Medieval Kings were obsessed with demonstrating their legitimate right to rule over everyone. Hence the Papacy, inheritance laws etc. They maintained this fiction because everyone knew that in reality the King / Tsar was only by virtue of violence and winning battles / civil Wars. Same for Putin and the Siloviki. We should fear what comes after Putin, probably not going to be the Apples PartyâŠ.
While most Russian pensioners strongly support Russia's Imperialistic goals, the young are sidelined, ignored, overruled; their future mortgaged to a ludicrous war. I fear for the brave apple idealists.
Great post, Mr. Khodorkovsky. I have a Ph.D in Russian history and I have noticed what I consider a deep structure peculiarity about Russian politics going back to the Middle Ages. In Russia you are welcome to get as rich as you can. But once you try to convert those riches into political power, you're dead. I think your own case is sadly illustrative of that principle. I won't believe Russia is ever changing for the better as long as that condition holds.
Banning a pet opposition party in Russia is like banning the little pretend hypodermic needle from a toddler playset on the grounds that it might lead to an infection.
Mr. Khodorkovsky, thank you for your commitment regarding a democratic Russia, commitment I totally and sincerely support. I have no formal competence in Russian history, Iâm simply interested in it and read a lot about it. So, the Russian imperial obsession bothers me when I think of a democratic Russia. To create an empire has been a constant in Russian history since 1400. The imperial dream has been the same for the tzars, the USSR, and now for Putinâs Russia. Can Russians think of a world without a Russian empire at all? Consequently, the solution for a democratic Russia would be to give up all ambitions for an empire, i.e. to let the provinces (âcoloniesâ) to become independent. The problem is that all riches Russia lives on, in the shape of natural resources, ARE in the provinces. How many Russians are prepared to give up those riches in the name of democracy? Iâd really appreciate to read your comment about this.
I admit that I first came across you years ago whilst watching the documentary Citizen K. I also admit that I hadnât heard anything about you since then, until I came across this interesting newsletter on Substack â if Iâm not mistaken, Sam Greeneâs TL;DRussia newsletter.
What can I say? The fact that a party that was initially âirrelevantâ is starting to cause concern should certainly be welcomed in the West. I honestly wonder what Putinâs next moves will be, given that the rather farcical Duma elections will reaffirm his hold on power. What will happen next? An escalation in Ukraine? An attack on a NATO country? I realise these are terribly broad questions â somewhat generic and almost titanic in scope â but Iâd be more than curious to hear your thoughts on the matter. And I say this as a former student of international relations and political science, who wrote a bachelorâs thesis on the SuwaĆki Gap (comparing it to the Fulda Gap of the Cold War).
Doubt they panicked. P panicked when Prigozhyn marched on Moscow with his mercenaries. A few free minds voting and even fewer brave souls protesting is at most a minor inconvenience. He won't even need to get them killed. Good for them.
I always look forward to reading your latest take on the Satanic lunatic asylum. The 50O Apple loyalists were very brave.đ
The Kyiv Maidan protests started with young people in Nov 2013. Then Yanukovych sent his Titushky to rough them up and chase them off. That brought out more, older protesters to protect the youngsters. The rest is history. Maybe someone in the Kremlin remembered that.
Entirely predictable fake judicial procedure and decision but what about the protesters?
Are they safe and free from the consequences of their bravery to peacefully publicly raise a voice of defiance
Comme c'est petit.
Ces calculs électoraux, qui s'associent à ces mesures de mise en retrait d'opposants sérieux, qui ne constituent qu'un risque d'élargir le débat sur les réalités auxquelles est confrontée société russe.
Ne restent admis à se présenter aux élections législatives en Russie que les tristes majoritaires (verrouillés comiquement au pouvoir quasi à vie), les bouffons communistes à l'ancienne. Les gravement sérieux en sont purement écartés.
Quand leurs dirigeants totaux actuels vont-il trouver le courage et l'honnĂȘtetĂ© (Ă se mettre en concordance) de faire l'Ă©conomie de ces pantalonnades d'Ă©lections factices ?
I think it was the historian Barbara Tuchman who pointed out that Medieval Kings were obsessed with demonstrating their legitimate right to rule over everyone. Hence the Papacy, inheritance laws etc. They maintained this fiction because everyone knew that in reality the King / Tsar was only by virtue of violence and winning battles / civil Wars. Same for Putin and the Siloviki. We should fear what comes after Putin, probably not going to be the Apples PartyâŠ.
While most Russian pensioners strongly support Russia's Imperialistic goals, the young are sidelined, ignored, overruled; their future mortgaged to a ludicrous war. I fear for the brave apple idealists.
Great post, Mr. Khodorkovsky. I have a Ph.D in Russian history and I have noticed what I consider a deep structure peculiarity about Russian politics going back to the Middle Ages. In Russia you are welcome to get as rich as you can. But once you try to convert those riches into political power, you're dead. I think your own case is sadly illustrative of that principle. I won't believe Russia is ever changing for the better as long as that condition holds.
Banning a pet opposition party in Russia is like banning the little pretend hypodermic needle from a toddler playset on the grounds that it might lead to an infection.
Mr. Khodorkovsky, thank you for your commitment regarding a democratic Russia, commitment I totally and sincerely support. I have no formal competence in Russian history, Iâm simply interested in it and read a lot about it. So, the Russian imperial obsession bothers me when I think of a democratic Russia. To create an empire has been a constant in Russian history since 1400. The imperial dream has been the same for the tzars, the USSR, and now for Putinâs Russia. Can Russians think of a world without a Russian empire at all? Consequently, the solution for a democratic Russia would be to give up all ambitions for an empire, i.e. to let the provinces (âcoloniesâ) to become independent. The problem is that all riches Russia lives on, in the shape of natural resources, ARE in the provinces. How many Russians are prepared to give up those riches in the name of democracy? Iâd really appreciate to read your comment about this.
Thank you
Among the variety of opinions, guesses and some well-informed suspicions, yours is the most believable as well as logical. Thanks again, as ever, MK.
[amend to include: it's so elegantly and lucidly expressed it is always a pleasure to read your work]
I admit that I first came across you years ago whilst watching the documentary Citizen K. I also admit that I hadnât heard anything about you since then, until I came across this interesting newsletter on Substack â if Iâm not mistaken, Sam Greeneâs TL;DRussia newsletter.
What can I say? The fact that a party that was initially âirrelevantâ is starting to cause concern should certainly be welcomed in the West. I honestly wonder what Putinâs next moves will be, given that the rather farcical Duma elections will reaffirm his hold on power. What will happen next? An escalation in Ukraine? An attack on a NATO country? I realise these are terribly broad questions â somewhat generic and almost titanic in scope â but Iâd be more than curious to hear your thoughts on the matter. And I say this as a former student of international relations and political science, who wrote a bachelorâs thesis on the SuwaĆki Gap (comparing it to the Fulda Gap of the Cold War).
He panicked. You are not seriously suggesting the opinions of anyone other than Putin's carry any real weight?
what can destroy the existing power structure?
Doubt they panicked. P panicked when Prigozhyn marched on Moscow with his mercenaries. A few free minds voting and even fewer brave souls protesting is at most a minor inconvenience. He won't even need to get them killed. Good for them.
Listen and learn from someone who knows more about Russia and Putin than you and I do together.
https://youtu.be/vwVNY0ieYZA?si=ixU8Bu44JhqjNfh4
Maybe you can see clearer than others how this essentially Soviet system is now being exported to the West?