In a Russian City, Clues to Putin's Abiding Appeal

Washington Post ^ | 24 November 2007 | Peter Finn

[shrinkermd]

According to the Kremlin's opponents, the president's standing -- his approval ratings now exceed 80 percent -- is an artifice. They say it is built on an increasingly autocratic political system and fueled by a tidal wave of petrodollars that may not last. With a slavish press, a docile parliament, a restricted menu of political parties and a willingness to smother dissent, Putin is glassed off from real democratic competition, his critics argue.

"Everything is based on the oil pillow," said Yuli Nisnevich, a political scientist at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow. "But the system itself is not stable. A system that stands on its head and not on its base cannot be stable."

Yet while Putin -- who has never debated a rival during two presidential election cycles -- benefits from the country's closed political process and fawning institutions, his ratings cannot be dismissed as simply the fruit of propaganda, according to Lev Gudkov, director of the Levada Center.

"He combines the renewed hopes of the people and the restoration of authority," Gudkov said. "He spoke the language that many people could understand."

Putin's predecessor of the 1990s, Boris Yeltsin, had to contend with low oil prices, bankrupt state finances and an economic restructuring, including the world's largest sell-off of government property, that bred widespread resentment. Millions of Russians fell into poverty as well-connected tycoons became fabulously rich. An enfeebled Kremlin was seen by many Russians as the handmaiden of a triumphant West.

Now Putin is trading on an enduring nostalgia for the Soviet past, when Russia stood tall in the world. As the country grew to become the world's second-largest exporter of oil, he adopted a prickly and increasingly assertive foreign policy that is widely cheered by Russians.

.

[shrinkermd]

Russia restored is in everyone's interest. Like our Western friends, Putin is not above sticking a stick in our eye from time to time.

With as sharply diminished presence on the world stage we can expect Russia and Putin to give expansive speeches albeit with little chance for expansion.

[Old Retired Army Guy]

I would be willing to bet the house after the Russian parliament elections that they change the constitution to allow Putin to run for President again in March.

[Leisler]

You can’t restore what never was. Russia was never tall in the world. It’s been weak, it’s been murderous. That’s it.

And now? It doens’t have the dumb masses of China. It doesn’t have the intellectual power or innovation or quality of the west. At best it’s future for the next 50-100 years is a resource extraction economy. It could have one like Canada, but most likely a Zaire.

[DB]

If Puttie keeps it up he’ll get it to 101% like Saddam.

[the invisib1e hand]

his approval ratings now exceed 80 percent -- is an artifice.

Of course it is! 80%? 80% of a sampled population agreeing on anything is a dysfunctional mob.

Extraordinary-Popular-Delusions-and-the-Madness-of-Crowds alert.

[headsonpikes]

Harsh, man. I guess you’re definitely not a slavophile!