The suddenly diminished and frail president may think that his cadre decisions are akin to the shake-up of the Soviet bureaucracy undertaken by his role model Yuri Andropov, who assumed the position of General Secretary of the Communist Party after Leonid Brezhnev’s death exactly 30 years ago. In fact, however, Putin produces just further proof of the futility of attempts to reinvigorate corrupt authoritarian regimes by purging the most arrogant clans and fanning public expressions of patriotism and preferences for stability. Tougher repressions against the opposition come in the same package, but Putin does not understand the resentment and outrage that his “show trials” generate—he lacks knowledge about the chagrin in the ruling elite, which evacuates its fortunes to the West and perceives the “supreme arbiter” as a capricious and languid egocentric. Putin is scheduled but cannot really hope to break Brezhnev’s record of clinging to power for 18 years. Whereas, the two qualities that underpinned Andropov’s short reign—respect and fear—have gone missing. His courtiers are now driven by a different fear—of going down together with the sorry supremo—and it is a pro-active driver.
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I find it a perfect analysis of a Russian political environment.
Its an open question whether Putin can serve out his six year term.
He has fixed many things in Russia but people are tiring of him and there is only so much he can do that goes against the interests of Russia’s ruling class.
Corruption is the biggest problem in Russia today and without eliminating graft and bribery, the country won’t get an honest and effective government.