Russia is a most complicated country. It extends from some of the most basic elements of life to the most technologically advanced to some of the most cultured. For all the sophistication or poverty of Russia, the leadership is both good and bad.
Putin (for he is still the one in power in practice) is a man with rational power instincts. That is more than can be said for many a Western country. The problem is that he fails to understand much of domestic policy. The rising price of oil allows Putin to centralize the economy. There are important elements to this. Russia is the bastion of Judeo-Christian civilization from the East. If Russia is poor, Russia will have difficulty in holding off or demotivating Jihadists from the East.
Russia is in many ways more rational than the Western leaders used to emotionalized thinking. Sadly, Russia's elites have failed to provide a coherent strategy for Russian growth in both economic and moral terms. Putin tries to repay the messes that Yeltsin created economically but fails to understand the need for more than financial investment. The stability of the government cannot face large business barons even if they are legal.
The economic drain corruption has (and dictatorship spurs corruption) impedes Russia's development and results in dangerous cultural shifts. If they Russian social model cannot satisfy the desires of the people, they will look to the glamour of Western Hedonism. That is not the ideology of all Westerners but it is that of much of the Western media. Hedonism attracts people to leave. Those who can leave are Russians with skills who could do more for Russia if the bureaucracy did not stifle their creativity.
Russia is also losing the demographic battle with its Muslim minorities due to the lack desire to raise a family in such harsh circumstances as Russia's ordinary life. People need hope. Putin offers a little but not in the long run. Putin is a man who can fight for Russia's interests (and indirectly civilization's) but who failes to build the society needed to sustain that power.
Russia an America are not very different in some ways. Both incorporate many different traditions and ideas. Russia suffers from a lack of a clear and deeply rooted social model just as America does. Russia has massive potential as does America. Both countries are rooted in the Christian tradition.
Sadly, until there is greater freedom from corruption and bureaucracy, Russia will continue to lose its best workers and demoralize its Russian population. Russia must also protect more free-speech and open its government to public criticism if it is to reform wisely.
Russia still possesses skill lost in the West. Russia's failure to free its people ensures that that advantage and benefit is squandered.
Russia faces a severe demographic danger and only making the country a good place for families to live will bolster it. A clear moral approach and logical ideas are needed to rally the people to a new civic participation. Corruption and bureaucracy create despair that saps Russia.
As it stands, Russia is not the best social model to follow due to the corruption of the elites and the lack of freedom. Until that is resolved, America is still best. The American Conservative tradition is one of the best of all but a new Russia can gradually overcome the residual foolishness of those who cannot see the new enemy and seek to fight the old war.
Topic: On the Relations of Russia (Read 3582 times)