Can't say that I'm all that surprised, exploiting national tragedies to usher in police-state controls seems to be all the rage nowadays.
Putin unveiled a new initiative to appoint Regional Governors instead of having them directly elected as they are now. Easy to see how this benefits the man in charge. A little more opaque however is another new initiative, that of having the lower house of Russia's parliament elected entirely by party list, instead of the current arrangement whereby half are elected by first-past-the-post local riding elections. My only guess is that this is meant to benefit United Russia at the expense of the smaller parties.
Can we please drop the pretext that this man is a democrat?
I also can't see the man stepping down after his current 4 year term ends in march 2008. With a crony parliament under his control my guess is he'll abolish term limits.
Just a question. Whether it's Russia, Iraq, China, or Vietnam, why are we surprised that countries with no democratic and pluralistic conditions in their history have a hell of a time being democratic in our tradition? AFter the fall of the USSR and a few years, many Russians longed for the good old days. We assume the people don't want this and I am not so sure.
At least the US recognizes this & is not letting it go by without comment...
Hopefully Powell's comments (story.news.yahoo.com) will help stabilize the situation & Russia will avoid making long-term mistakes in response to the immediate aftermath of this tremendous national tragedy.
Originally posted by DrDirtJust a question. Whether it's Russia, Iraq, China, or Vietnam, why are we surprised that countries with no democratic and pluralistic conditions in their history have a hell of a time being democratic in our tradition?
I'd say that Japan, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia(among others) have made out fine.
You know, if John Kerry weren't so darn electable, the Democrats would be panicking right now. Oh wait, he isn't and they are. - James Taranto
Originally posted by DrDirtJust a question. Whether it's Russia, Iraq, China, or Vietnam, why are we surprised that countries with no democratic and pluralistic conditions in their history have a hell of a time being democratic in our tradition?
I'd say that Japan, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia(among others) have made out fine.
Japan - never a victim of colonialism
Germany consolidation under Prussia followed by starting two WW before having democracy imposed on half and still over 100 years since consolidation.
Czech Rep and Slovakia part of the Austrian Empire
Poland - Parts of poland were part of German states and Russia. Started inter war and picked up in the 1980's
Baltic states some independent history but not much.
All your exaamples had educated populations and an economic infrastructure..
Vietnam really had little history of a nation, mostly under subjugation. I stand by what I asked.
(edited by DrDirt on 14.9.04 1209) Perception is reality
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