Inside the mind of Vladimir Putin
By CNN Foreign Affairs Correspondent Jill Dougherty
Sociologist Olga Kryshtanovskaya is used to getting into people’s heads.
She’s an expert on Russia’s elites and its political system. For 23 years she headed the Department of Elite Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences and now is director general of the research center “Kryshtanovskaya Laboratory.”
When Kryshtanovskaya looks at Russian President Vladimir Putin, she sees an “average Joe” - make that an “average Ivan.”
“Putin,” she says, “reflects the middle statistical opinion of the average Russian, and what he says is sometimes contradictory, but that is what the majority of Russians think.”
In his first term, she recalls, Putin said the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century was the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
“Every resident of Russia would subscribe to that,” she says.
It’s not that Russians want Communism back, although some do, but the whole structure of life and secure social programs fell apart along with the USSR. So, when people in the West reacted with horror to Putin’s statement, many Russians were surprised, Kryshtanovskaya says, “Everything Putin says is very understandable to us, but not very understandable to you – and vice versa,” she says. “What the American president does, when he starts a war, when he sends troops, when Vietnam begins, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc., we can’t understand it.”
Russians who lived during the Soviet Union grew up with government-inspired anti-Americanism. “It’s one of the pillars of our country’s ideology,” she says. “It was formed a long time ago and was carefully instilled in people by the Soviet leaders. Why are there problems? ‘It’s those people, the evil Americans, who are at fault, who make things worse for us.’ It’s an ideological cliché.”
Now, Kryshtanovskaya says, “When Putin thinks of how he can justify his policies, it’s faster to recall this old enemy than to create a new one. This external enemy is a factor of the internal politics of Russia, as strange as that may seem.”
Russian presidents that Americans like are the ones Russians don’t like, she says. “Gorbachev, whom the whole world loved, Russians didn’t like. It’s the mentality. Putin acts according to our traditional mentality which is to respect only strength. That one has to be quite aggressive, that you have to demonstrate crude power so that people will respect you. We even have that expression – “when people fear you it means people respect you.”
Putin’s way of behaving, she says, is an attempt to say “’We are a great power, you have to fear us, we have nuclear weapons, etc.’ That is our mentality.”
Vladimir Putin’s recent op-ed in the New York Times was addressed to the American people, but Kryshtanovskaya believes he was talking to Russians, too.
“‘If you think that heaven on Earth is the United States, that everything is ideal and wonderful there – No! It’s not that way. They have problems.’ So it was an attempt to lower America a bit and boost yourself.”
But today’s Russians, this sociologist says, are split down the middle.
“We have an ideological war in Russia,” she explains. “The opposition, and Putin’s people, they’re two different fronts. One says ‘We want democracy and everything should be the way it is in the West.’ They are the ‘Westerners.’ And people who are for Putin – they once were called ‘Slavophiles’ – they say ‘No, we are a separate civilization. We have our own special path, for us the West is not the way.’”
Kryshtanovskaya sees these divisions, as well, in other developing countries such as China.
Putin also is an example of courage for Russians, she says. “Putin says ‘See? I’m not afraid to speak the truth, even to the most powerful country in the world. We are a very influential country. Look at our proposal on Syria, which is being welcomed.’”
Some Russians, she says, are trying to make fun of the fact that President Barack Obama, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, wants to start a war. They’re playing on that, she says. “It’s we who are saving the world from a new war.”
It’s a constant verbal battle, she says, with some aggression from Russia, and some from Obama, as well. For example, when he called Putin a “schoolboy.”
“That was insulting,” she says. “It’s like a game of ping pong.”
If the framework for destroying Syria’s chemical weapons, proposed by Russia, works out, Kryshtanovskaya says, Russia will jump on it as a PR opportunity.
“’We are great! Hooray! We are geniuses! We found a way out. We are an influential country,’ she says. “That is, to strengthen the position of Putin and the government.”
If it doesn’t work out, it it’s not a tragedy, she says.
“We can say ‘Those bad Americans. How terrible they are. Wherever they go, war follows. They’re starting a new war. We tried. We did everything we could. We were the power of good, but the power of evil didn’t listen to us.’”
Putin, she is convinced, “is going to play on the fact that we are great – and Americans are the enemy.”
@natlsecuritycnn on Twitter
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Whatever Vladimir Putin has on his mind, I'm with him 100%! We all need someone with his strength to stand up to the right-wing thugs in Washington and their insane ambitions of worldly conquest. Anyone who does that is well deserving of praise and respect by the whole world!!!
Be careful! Putin is not interested in anything other than power and control! He needs to spend some time in China with his "communists brothers" and learn about world economics! Is China waging war today? NO, China sits back quietly while everyone else does the fighting then moves in to capture all the economic gains! China has no power hungry dictator today, they patiently wait and then prosper! Putin is much too power hungry for his own good! Sure, we the USA, aren't much better. Unfortunately, nothing much will change until the whole world learns how to "deal with" Muslims killing Muslims, for what?
Don't forget, Stan, that it is China's financing a large part of our huge deficit that made us the only superpower in the world today. If China and other countries decided not to loan us any more money, our national economy would go down the drain in a hurry! In other words, we Americans are not quite as smart as we think we are!
Do you miss Boris Yeltsin?
Just who in their right mind does, Socrates? Certainly not I!!!
Putin is power hungry? Nothing could be further from the truth, as actions speak louder than words. And if he does want to strengthen Russia that's not power hungry, that's working to the best interests of Russia.
But speaking of being power hungry, did you know that the United States is the one who has been changing regimes all around the globe every year or two for 60+ years now? With more than half being successful. These regimes change solely in the interests of US's government. We also know that the interests of the US government often contradict those of its people and always contradict interests of the country that has had its regime changed. It's about time someone stepped up to such injustice and modern barbarism. The elite is most likely pulling the strings solely in the name of growing their estate's bank accounts as the goal is to profit from wars at the expense of suffering of others, is it not? Either way I don't think its right to change governments merely to fill own bellies, and certainly not at the expense of others (bitter suffering and often sometimes lives).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covert_United_States_foreign_regime_change_actions
Putin is power hungry? Nothing could be further from the truth and actions speak louder than words. And if he does want to strengthen Russia that's not power hungry, that's working to the best interests of Russia.
But speaking of being power hungry, did you know that the United States is the one who has been changing regimes all around the globe every year or two for 60+ years now? With more than half being successful. These regimes change solely in the interests of US's government. We also know that the interests of the US government often contradict those of its people and always contradict interests of the country that has had its regime changed. It's about time someone stepped up to such injustice and modern barbarism. The elite is most likely pulling the strings solely in the name of growing their estate's bank accounts as the goal is to profit from wars at the expense of suffering of others, is it not? Either way I don't think its right to change governments merely to fill own bellies, and certainly not at the expense of others (bitter suffering and often sometimes lives).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covert_United_States_foreign_regime_change_actions
WITH ALL DUE RESPECT OF COURSE.
The US is a Country of Laws...Russia is a country of snow jobs...albiet Russians approve of their own work or lack there of...a fantasy land a theme park...a place where the Olimpics is more important than working on failure...now what does this have to do with syria...Answer: Russia does not need Syria...and it shows...Civil war considered...no rule of Law in Syria...this is why Russia cannot win a war...its because Russia cannot win a war...& that is Russian fault...it is what they are most comportable with...hiding in the snow dreaming of aquiring unearned power through posture and preception.
When it comes to colored vision the red looks yellow and the black looks white. An American would never fail to find fault with Russia and vice-versa yet speaking objectively American contribution to world unrest is far higher then Russian. Reason for this is that Russians has to live amidst its civilized neighbors while America has no such restrictions.
lol This article such a hypocricy !!!
1“Russians who lived during the Soviet Union grew up with government-inspired anti-Americanism. “
Americans are the same! They are also brainwashed about evil Russians) aspecially evil Putin judging by the article. It’s an ideological cliché.
2 “Putin acts according to our traditional mentality which is to respect only strength. That one has to be quite aggressive, that you have to demonstrate crude power so that people will respect you.”
Exactly that American presidents was doing as well. Why Obama don’t back off on bombing Syria? He is afraid to lose respect.
3 ‘If you think that heaven on Earth is the United States, that everything is ideal and wonderful there – No! It’s not that way. They have problems.’ So it was an attempt to lower America a bit and boost yourself.”
It sounds like all the Russians are dummies who don’t travel around the world or can’t use internet and don’t know what the life outside of Russia is.
4 “We have an ideological war in Russia,” One says ‘We want democracy and everything should be the way it is in the West.’ They are the ‘Westerners.’ And people who are for Putin – they once were called ‘Slavophiles’ – they say ‘No, we are a separate civilization. We have our own special path, for us the West is not the way.’”
Sorry to disappoint you but our opposition has the third way of thinking and it absolutely don’t think that everything must be the way it is in the West, that’s why so many people like this opposition.
it seam like either Sociologist Olga Kryshtanovskaya sit in her office next to Putin and just like him doesn't know what the Russians think or CNN just a part of that brainwashing mashing who says "the evil Americans, who are at fault, who make things worse for us")
Vladimir Putin #2 Most Powerful People on Earth 2013. This October the ex-KGB strongman–who controls a nuclear-tipped army, a permanent seat on the UN Security Council and some of the world's largest oil and gas reserves–turned 60. That's Russia's retirement age, but who's got the nerve to tell him to quit?
He is KGB murderer,murderer people of Kaukazus and Russian people to.
The media and politicians call Putin, an ex-KGB. Do they really think that the CIA is better than the KGB? I haven't heard ever that these two agencies have hired a social worker not even by mistake, they train people to mastermind killings. So long, Putin, ex-KGB.
As Russian I have to add two things.
First, I can see GIANT RUSSOPHOBIA at CNN – it extents any kind of Amerophobia at Russia.
Second, Author forgot to mention very special thing: at 1980-s and beginning of 1990-s there was AmeroPHILIA.
Indeed, many Russians thought NOW – new type of Humanity will apeear. No wars, no selfish interests, Humans as one race, no need for military spending etc etc....a lot of people loved Americans just because they are Americans at that times and was ready to cooperate on any matter – even against own interests.
Sure , it was NAIVE – but US effectively BETRAYED that feelings by massive wars it started at that times and later, by doing a lot of bad things at Russiaa and for Russians.
So, USA LOOSED big shance at that times – shance to become real world leader, leader of minds, not leader in military spending and warmongering as it is right now.
It was big tragedy noone yet understood enough.
So – in any way "Amerophobia" (I would rather say amero hate) is logical result of 1980-s and 1990-s but NOT result of USSR propaganda.
This is result of American BETRAYAL ............... not only Russians but even OWN historical values.
Generally, many Russian love that OLD "beacon of freedom" – problem is you are NOT ONE anymore.
Very truthful article from russians point of view except several facts – very few of us actually counts america like enemy.
We also can`t understand why american think that Putin controls everything. From the times of 90s anarchy – most of corruption is from the "free" people of those times. Most of us actually don`t contact police in dozens years.
So anti-gay votes going 436 to 0 and a law passed against "hooliganism" related to religious speech is a reach for control by the government and its leadership to prevent opposition?
In the most regions. Except Moscow probably. Such "laws" simply don`t work. Nobody care about those laws. And even if – we have asia mentality. As its says in Russia – "Law isn`t that thing that we must to do."
Ironically, a country that respects only strength is and can only be a country of cowardly sheep who turns its back on injustice. I imagine that they are much weaker than they try to project.
What a ridiculous, bravado comment. Russia was an empire when there were a few shivering English people in Jamestown colony eating their cats to survive a winter. And unlike England – Russia is still an empire, in size and in mentality. Putin is thinking 50 years ahead, what political and financial legacy he will leave to his successors.He is not a good guy, but he got this huge country under control after the horrid "democratic period" after Gorbachev.
a pot calls the kettle black. lol
This is a poor estimate of Putin. A former KGB chief can't be an average person.He needs to have exceptional IQ and abilities. The difference in American and Russian outlook is , however, understandable.
He wants to follow in the footsteps of his idol, Uncle Joe Stalin.
Once KGB always KGB.
PUTIN IS A LEGEND IN HIS OWN MIND !!
.
It's not Vlad, for short it is Vova . A nice Russian commenter taught me this, so get it right. Now that I know this, I am going to act like a total uppity snob and all cool because I know this and correct you all on it.
It is really Vova . So learn it and remember it so you can be upper class and cool like me . Ha ha.
Interesting comment. The article stated that there is a divide between Russians, some want more democracy and to be more like the west, and those who support Putin who want another path. The same divide seems to exist here, some wanting our leadrship to be more like Putin while others valuing demcoracy and the American way.
My reply was actually meant for Robert Raulerson below.
It's a mistake of translation: in fact there is a divide between those who want more democracy and those who want to be more like the West. I hope it all makes some sense now!
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inside the mind of another white autistic man
I have more respect for putin than i do for obama.
I agree. Obama either lied during his campaigning or he was forced to change after he got elected. One way or the other, I he trashed the hope I had in him.
I would take a way-over-his head Preacher-in-Chief than a ruthless dictator thug for president of US.
So whats your point? lol
Then move to Russia and enjoy your opportunities he may give you if you haven't already.
Are you now a bit more scared, Miss America?
The poster "Andrey" is actually John Kerry. LOL
In fact I am!
But I did not write these posts: I can not type!
I think something was lost in translation. I put your comments into the Stupid To English translator and it said "I cannot think"
Try English to Stupid: I am sure it will work!
One thing about Vlad-he senses weakness like no other current leader and makes Barry look like the community organizer that he is.
I like your types: imagining that you know so much about Russian politics and overall.... and not even knowing that Vlad is short for Vladislav – totally different to Vladimir! Foolish ignorant loudmothed American knownothing!
I'll bet you didn't know Elliot was Indian-short for "Expect Andrey to type something stupid".
It's a good one!
Sorry, typed something stupid again!
It OK, you cannot be faulted playing with half a deck.
So was it your turn, or do you always do it?
I do agree with that!
Putin is a nobody. He has accomplished nothing of substance and runs a country that is poor, hopelessly inept, and controlled by organized crime. Time and time again, Putin's Russia allies itself with petty tyrants and despots for no reason other than to oppose the US. Russia continues to be on the losing side of history. But this will eventually change as Putin and his generation eventually die off and are replaced by younger generations who were not raised under Soviet era dogma.
Sure you were imagining yourself while typing this. Psychologists say many writers do that kind of thing!
Of course your Putin is a fictional character: mostly based on your fantasizing yourself in his place! Keep working on it!
I think you are indulging in wishful thinking. The Russian mind-set runs deep and they long for a strong Russia-they admire strong leadership, thus Putin fits the bill for many of them. If your hypothesis is true, it seems the culture would have already apologized for and repudiated the Gulag years, much like Germany did regarding their Nazi era. It is very telling the Russians have not done so-they have a different mind set about things and we often make the mistake of looking at their 'problems' through an American lens.
Nikita Khrushchev "have already apologized for and repudiated the Gulag years": back in 1956, in 20th Congress of the Communist party... I am pretty sure you already knew that and was just playing dumb Mr. Know Everything!
I don't look at their problems through any lens because I really do not give a crap about anything they have to say or what they believe. If they don't support democracy and a person's rights, then they are not worth my time.
xSmall xDick dude!
You say smaller than yours? Can not be: nobody has it so small and still claim he has it!
You should know.
If it wasn't Putin, it would be someone else. Remember, Russia hasn't existed as an independent pseudo democracy for very long. They have come a long way since the breakup of the former USSR. Their natural resources which are just beginning to be exploited do provide needed income for their government, but through their current leadership Russians are rebuilding their technological and industrial base. Putin's Russia may not be perfect, but could be a lot worse!
CNN rather liked somebody else: like that gullible liberal Gorbachev or drunkard Yeltsin!
or empty headed Andrey--too much bending the elbow there komrade *hiccup*
Wow! I see you have figured the time travel: indeed all you needed was to scroll down! So you can answer to the posts I have typed before the little altercation of ours!
So what is your plan? Do you think about travelling back in time till you meet my parents so you could kill them even before I was born?
"Sociologist Olga Kryshtanovskaya"
In a recent article the Wall Street Journal said that sociologists are "meat heads." In college "sociology" is considered a soft subject.
How would you know. You have never went to college and you can't read.
This text is simply wrong, starting with the first statement that anti-americanism "was carefully instilled in people by the Soviet leaders". Soviet leaders were a laughing stock and folk anecdote characters, they would not be able to instill anything into anyone, let alone instilling an anti-americanism. The emigrants departing for the US in the late 80s and early 90s were treated as national heroes. On the other hand anti–americanism, if you were to find one, was nothing compared to the russophobia in the US, so bringing this issue can only play out as a false equivalence. This article also misses the historical turns in the Russian society, which makes any discourse on this society impossible. I am talking about euphoria of the late 80s, complete abandonment of the Russian national interest in the 90s, and then Putin's stabilization. And this is how american public is easily made believe into the non-existant issues of Putin –– the KGB appartchik (Putin was the one who helped destroy the Soviet Union –– what a surprise!), Super Bowl ring (Putin is hardly aware of what Super Bowl is, how a ring could be linked to any sport) etc.
You are right: CNN is much better at instilling anti-Americanism than any Soviet leaders! I only wish more Russian people could read US Edition of CNN to see all the hate and all the lies it spews about them!
Andrey, If you don't shut-up, I'm going to release those pictures of you and the Chechyan midgets. Stop please.
It will take some work for you to fake my photo. The midgets on another hand should be easy: because you are one: all you have to do is to add a beard!
Obama left a void in world leadership. Putin jumped in and filled it.
Andrey, what do you think about this?
Wow. The two of you have no lives LOL
CNN knows their clientele are junkies: they come to CNN for the next fix of sweet lie, eat it up and ask for more! CNN will not fail, not ever, not in America!
I see John Kerry has logged in again. LOL
Putin is just another caudillo. The reason why America is exceptional is most of the technological and other advancements of human culture are invented and sold here. Europe and East Asia play a significant role as well. Russia nowadays is just a supplier of oil and other natural resources. Communism and anti-Western ignorance have largely destroyed much of the innovation that has occurred in Russia. Putin has turned Russia into a stagnant culture. One factor common among the more exceptional countries is there is a turnover in the top political leadership every decade.
Is that why US astronauts need to catch a ride with the Russians...because that's how the US now leads the way?
Jeez, if it weren't for that stagnant culture, we'd have a tough time hitching a ride to the space station.
Putin watched carefully and took the opportunity and just said publicly what people are saying all around the World. Americans excuse the ignorance and stupidity of our lawmakers and Journalist. When the lawmakers are interviewed and talk about Foreign policy but clearly don't know what their talking about. Senator McCain talks about Russia as if we are still in the Cold War. Most of the lawmakers don't know anything about foreign cultures or even what the countries are. Putin wrote his op-ad to show the intelligent Americans he is paying attention. As for all this US Christian Religious values well actions speak to how fake that is. Republicans announced Rape is God's blessing enough said.
To be simplistic about Putin is naive. He is playing necessary roles to maintain power and admiration from his people. He is a powerful and brilliant man who just happens to hold different ideals and methods of operation than the USA. To underrate him is a huge mistake.
Yeah, ideals of oppression, lack of freedom and choice. I have never hear of a vote going down in any country with a democracy almost 500 to 0 in favor of any issue. This pretty much tells me that what is dictated is what is law. You can have him!
it seems CNN evolving further into american kind of Pravda (main communist newspaper in former U.S.S.R.). Rhetoric is already the same. Have a nice day [switching to BBC].
AT least there IS something going on in his mind. Wish I could say the same for McCain. Gawd, it's unbelievable how the American media can just like straight passed McCain and and discuss the sanity of Putin. Or they can watch Ahmadinejad trying his best to have a normal conversation with Larry King and in the end Americans are all left snickering about what a lunatic Ahmadinejad is.
Didn't some American politicians have all the pics made to show the vigor and masculine person they want the public to see. RWR chopping wood and GWB clearing bush on the ranch and Palin fishing, hunting, dressing out a moose.
Of course he will, just like she said.
It's the easiest thing to do and if there's one thing politicians like, it's easy.
What this article doesn't tell you is how Wall Street swooped in and looted the Soviet Union dry when it transitioned to non Communist Russia.
Putin lived through that and harbors wretched hate for everything American.
He did a great job bringing Russia back from obscurity.
...and what you don't say is that America swooped in, kept the Russians from starving and avoided general chaos when the wall came down and EVERYthing collapsed. Google "Bush legs," and about a thousand other things you don't know about what you speak.
Germany provided several times more help than the US during that time. I thought you should know. The US was distant and not even second.
The Russian People brought themselves back from relative obscurity and are now voting Against Putin. Why? Because they don't like him? No. The answer is much more profound – they don't thing United Russia should have such great say in the country – they are too big of a block – so they are voting for more representation.
That ain't a vote for Putin, brother.
An interesting take on Putin, though no doubt heavily biased in his favor. Not that I blame the writer. After all, we all know what happens to you in Russia if your pen strikes too sharply against the Iron Czar.
While Putin is not insane like most dictators/ambitious world leaders, he certainly does not have your "common man" mentality. Though it should be noted that Putin is an adept at exploiting the "common man" mentality for his own political gain very much like Obama. They even use very similar techniques and themes with their speeches and over-saturated media propaganda. Putin seems to me to be something of a control freak, with a hint of egocentricism, and a political mastermind at that. Quite ironic as this personality is that of many American politicians that remain in high power for too long, for instance McCain, Obama, Bush, Hillary, etc.
For one his KGB background is a good indicator that Putin is no "common man." However, the Putin Sytem that Vlad has woven is very interesting and unique. He has effectively monopolized his nation's economy under his command through the use of Gazprom as his vehicle. Putin maintains strict control of the media via shell corporations, assasinating journalists, arresting dissident musicians, and heavily promotes his own Cult of Personality (perhaps the second best Cult of Personality propaganda machine in the World after Obama's.) Furthermore not only is Putin's system of control limited to Russia, but as we saw with the extortion of Ukraine during the past Winters, Putin has even used his economic and natural resource advantage to exert political control over much of Eastern Europe, and even to a small extent in West Europe.
On the other hand though, I do believe Putin to his credit is nationalistic and wishes preserve and build up Russia. The only problem with this is Putin sees himself as the embodiment of Russia, as something of a Czar. As the article alluded to though, this is common of Russian leaders throughout history.
It's very easy to see how Putin can see himself, and how many of his own people can see him as Russia's savior especially after the disaster of Yeltsin when the fledgling Russian nation threatened to be ripped apart by corruption and political incompetance. Putin has indeed held his young country together against pretty long odds. However, he has also been in power for a long time and has crafted a system around himself and his oligarch minions that will not last when he is gone unless it becomes more open and democratic.
Putin is no Average Ivan Sixpack. He is not insane either though. He is a shrewd and calculating force that seeks to maintain his own power by means that would make Machiavelli proud. He is not much different in personality (and even policy) from the Old Money leadership in our American political parties that have stuck around far too long themselves.
If Putin stepped down after his current term, History would probably look at him in the future as a strong leader that held his country together. However if Putin continues to try to maintain his iron grip on power indefinately, and continues to expand his Control Matrix, which is what it appears he will do, he risks the very real possibility of destroying his own nation and condemning it to fall into a vast power vacuum after his rule ends. If there is no power vacuum after Putin then the possibility that a Successor will expand and abuse his all ready frightening matrix of control and become a tyrant becomes a very real possibility (much like how Obama has expanded and abused the tyrannical laws and systems Bush left behind.) What Putin will do next is anyone's guess, and how History will remember him is largely in Putin's own hands.
Whether Putin is remembered as the father of the Russian Federation or whether he leaves a broken and corrupt system after he is gone is still to be seen. Putin should not be viewed as the stereotypical dictator trying to take over the World, but he also should not be viewed as some selfless hero either. Just like our own leaders, Putin plays the tricky game of trying to gain more power for himself and his oligarchs while at the same time trying to preserve his nation and contend on the World Stage.
"USApeasent in my opinion has wrote a very good piece.
"Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely".
History tells us allot of things because those who do not learn from history are deemed to repeat it. There is a reason why a person can only have the US Presidency for two terms and he/she must then past the bastion of power onto another person. The US has learnt from history in that if there is a person or family that has been in power for too long, they loose all sense of reality, all sense of what is right and wrong and all sense of listening to democratic arguments that HAS to happen in order to bring out a good and just outcome. Who will argue against Putin in Russia today? If you don't agree with this, I ask you to track the history books from current dictators, to the kings of England, France, Russia, China, etc etc and look at how it ended up for all of them. The hardest decision for a person who loves power or was given power is when to "call it a day".
Every system whether you talk about banking, political, legal, religious has imperfections. Another way to put it is it has various disadvantages and advantages. In my opinion, the western political system is the "best imperfect system" because you can't have a perfect system because humans aren't perfect!!!!! If there is a perfect system, please tell me and lets follow that. History is the only judge of whether your system is good or bad and you only have to look at the various countries who each have their own systems to know whether it works.
Fifty year ago Russia, China and all the communist countries said that the socialist system is the best and everyone should follow it... It has turned out that the socialist system does not work! We will only know in another 50 years whether Putin's Russia and China's system will work. I suspect that if they continue the same way they are doing it now and do not evolve quickly to a more democratic and fairer system, then their fates and fates of the people who live under that system will be sealed.
Thanks for the comment and reply Kman. I agree with much of your piece as well and it is very good analyses in my opinion. I also wanted to add, just looking back on the article and some of the comments, that while I think the sociologist's assessment of Putin is wrong, I do agree a lot with her assessment on the Russian Society's views of their leader. Surely some of the comments here are a testament to that.
Kudos to you again Kman, very good commentary!
I am a Russian and regularly visit and stay in Russia (at least twice a year), and I have never ever heard about that "famous sociologist." It is really amazing to see such desperate attempts to forge an "expert view" or "public opinion" by adducing sensationalist words of some marginal figures.
So Putin is a "marginal" figure?
The famous sociologist seems to be somewhat anti-American herself.
“What the American president does, when he starts a war, when he sends troops, when Vietnam begins, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc., we can’t understand it.”
Hilarious that she even brings up Afghanistan. Does she even recall the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, without any provocation whatsoever? And Vietnam, full of Soviet "advisors"? Were Russians able to understand the wholesale murder of their own citizens in gulags? The coldblooded murder of East German citizens who tried to escape their prison for a better life?
This sociologist is pathetic.
Never trust a Russian-EVER! They are dishonest and repugnant. Never trust one, you will be sorry you did.
Trust your Jews then, nobody minds! Who else needs your trust anyway!
I recently had a man from Kashmir ask for my trust. It happens. You need to get out more Andrey.
I wonder what he needed your trust for: it's so tiny!
Do you think he may meant something else?
Typical Russian response. No real substance. How's that economy of yours doing?
You're a phucking moron. Please breathe under water
It's amazing that the US media and politicians cannot talk about Mr, Putin without using pejorative, insulting language. In every story or quotation we see the words, "thug," "dictator," etc. That's not very "tolerant" of us. Why is it acceptable to use insulting language in this instance but then get all bent-out-of-shape when we are verbally "tarred and feathered" by those who disagree with us in public. It's extremely hypocritical. If Mr. Putin is so horribly wrong, it should be very easy to demonstrate his errors using rational, non-insulting language. The fact that so many US "leaders" feel they need to resort to insults really makes me wonder if they are even able to articulate a cogent, logical argument against what Mr. Putin is doing. The fact that there seems to be no attempt to do so is especially troubling. They either have no real argument or think the US public is so shallow that being rational is not worth the effort. Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure the latter is true. I'm very concerned that the former might very well be true also.
I do tend to see some of your points here but there is one major flaw with your logic. These same individuals who you "claim" are innocent victims of name-calling and only trying to work with America are themselves, the worst perpetrators of this behavior. Russia and Putin are very guilty of labeling Americans and President Obama. There have been many attempts recently to try and be civil with this country with little success but you simply cannot trust Mr. Putin, plain and simple.
Oh yeah. By the way, the article even states that the name-calling and blaming is coming from Russia's side as well.
My point is that we in the US should be above that and present rational, thought-provoking arguments, not simple rhetoric. I would simply like to see more hard reason and less emotion. There should be a lot more to throw at Putin than, "He's a thug and a dictator so everything he does, by definition is bad." If what he does is bad, the evil in the action itself should be self-evident. Individual personality traits or descriptors shouldn't matter. Additionally, a "dictator" can't dictate alone. He needs a large number of willing co-conspirators, who are just as complicit in the evil as the dictator himself. Putin is the face of an entire system that apparently maintains power for a relatively small clique of cronies. Unfortunately, the previous sentence could describe just about every government on earth.
Dictatorships, by definitions, simply use force militarily to oppress its citizens and giving any credence to how they rule using this force is against any democratic principle I have ever learned. Additionally, there has been efforts to try and recognize legitimate democratic leadership but in lack of any, I simply cannot see the value in your points.
What I love was fox news all of a sudden having a man crush on Putin. They are always talking about how bad he is but everytime its him vrs Obama there view changes. All of a sudden he's this man that comes off as a strong leader blah blah blah its sooo funny. Its thats why I love Fox News.
"In every story or quotation we see the words, "thug," "dictator," etc."
May be this is because Putin is thug and dictator?
Excellent!
I agree with you.
‘It’s those people, the evil Americans, who are at fault, who make things worse for us.’ It’s an ideological cliché. The same one we’ve been hearing, and are now hearing again: Those nasty Russians, et cetera, ad nauseum.
CNN thanks for delivering another pile of anti-Russian crap! I did not even bother to read that hate-mongering piece of CNN-turd!
That was not a Hate Mongering article. It's from a Russian Journalist, which means, there is no way she would tear Putin apart in an article for CNN. He would find a way to have her put in prison while telling America how bad they are for wanting to lock-up snowden
As they say in Russia: you can relay on a pig finding dirt. So please have not illusions about CNN agenda: it exists and it is VERY clear. And it does not matter if this article was written buy Russian or by American journalist: it is the second oldest profession after all, I have zero respect for it!
Andrey=Siberian turd
You are so pathetic: it's obvious you stole your previous jokes from somebody else, somebody with the brain!
Putin is nothing more then a girly-man hiding behind a Harley.
Putin an "average Ivan"? Hardly. He's nothing but a two-bit KGB thug.
You are a hero Putin, thank you.
Hero for what? letting Assad continue spilling chemicals to his people, you call that hero?
Beware of that rare Russian who has a mind to speak .... wisdom from my late Godfather ....
Sometimes i think that a big part of the so called educated and well informed us citizens lives in a cage or empty box with a mirror. They think that the world is what they see in that mirror, them, and with a very primitive logic they try to understand the planet from that limited point of view. Oh! that person is not like me! ohh! is bad!.
And obviously, the ignorance make the people feel special, different, superior. ¿Which is the real difference between an islamic fundmentalist from Al Qaeda and a christian fundamentalist of the Tea Prty? None, is the same caveman logic: Me right, You wrong. I kill you.
There is no Anti American feeling in a great part of the earth becouse of nothing, or from a political campaing. Is becouse all the criminal acts of American modern history. From Hiroshima to here there is a non stop list.
I thought when the URSS collapsed that USA will reign for centuries. You thought the same, and for that reason Reagan is a hero. He won to URSS.
But, the dream is over. Since Iraq USA started the end of unique leadership, and now is like an elephant trying to run in small place.
The future world will be more multipolar, more democratic in therms of different expressions and with more countries with power.
Is like other empires, happened to Spain, Uk, France; Germany, also Russia. They learned the lessons of history, now is the USA time.
The only problem is the stupidity of the hawks that thinks that everything is resolved by war. If they dont iniciate a global war, the future will be more intertesting with an USA more integrated and less warrior.
You talk about the US looking into the mirror and seeing itself for what it is but it is very important for all countries and their leadership to do the same. I am positive that most Americans are tired of getting involved in other countries civil wars and other problems but we tend to be the first one that they come to for help and asking why we are not doing more. Most countries have blemishes on their history as well, Russia being no different. It is easy to tell someone to look in the mirror and point the mirror at them but try turning the mirror around on yourself (own country) first. Then you will be able to be talk objectively about the issues.
Most of the leaderships of leaders countries looked at themselves and changed. Check, im talking abot leadership, not country in general that is an irreal abstraction.
They learned by theyre old mistakes. UK & Cameron, the new Tony Blair of Obama, is the last example.
The problem is with american´s leaders, they lost the path and still treating american citizens like stupids. Last example? Times Magazine. Putin is the portrait worldwide, except in USA. Nice kind of censorship. Is Orwell´s world. Bye
Jorge,
Your kidding yourself if you think Russia has learned from any of their mistakes from the past. Look at all the Middle East countries continuing to fight amongst themselves and they don't even know why. You are not living in reality if you think that these countries or their leadership (which by the way is not abstract as a country is made up of its citizens) has any clue about anything other than what they believe. Go find one!
By the way, if Putin is the "World Portrait" as you claim, then by all means, follow his lead. Dictatorships are easy to follow. He tells you what to do, and you simply do it and there are no questions or public discourse. How's that for censorship?
Jorge, I think we should concentrate on the championship. I am still 34 points ahead by the way. Leave the politics alone, it will work itself out.
Nice to see how some people reacts. Really you are watching another movie, the 90´s ends 🙂
Yeah Jorge! Go back to your game.
HaHa.. this is my game. Yours is?
Well your not very good at it because your losing. Mine is fighting ignorance.
The issue is simply that Russia is back and the US do not know what to do about it. And he cut off foreign money to his opposition, the standard CIA tool to change the government in a country.... Man... That was bad...
Yes Russia is back, with its inferior military sub par technology and a social powder keg waiting to explode. China has taken over as #2 sorry pal
Just like America, Russia is divided on their leader. The more educated city dwellers with knowledge of the world outside Russia see Putin as a corrupt power hungry dictator who is taking away their freedoms. The more rural lesser educated Russians see him as a strong leader, kind of like the religious right who supported W Bush.
"The more educated", like the people that I MET IN RUSSIA, are VERY HAPPY with him. It is some parts of the masses that listen to the opposition. Everybody's personal opinion is respected my friend, but you are expressing exactly that: An opinion. I am reporting what I lived. So, better leave it...
The bombs never came not due to Putin Posturing, but resistance at home. If the American people wanted to intervene, the US Government would have, and it wouldve been devastating. but it was highly unpopular among US citizens as it was seen as Muslims killing other Muslims as they always do. There wouldve been nothing 4 Russian rust buckets in the eastern med could do to stop it. Just ask Gadaffi how much a strong Russian protest protected him. Russian posturing never entered the equation, Obamas resolution probably wouldve been defeated in congress by a combined coalition of new libertarian Republicans and left wing liberals. No one ever mentioned fear of any Russian retaliation as the reason they abstained from the attack plan.
Do us all a favor and go back to Russia, that s*&^ hole of a country.
See Joseph.
Why do you think that city peoples are more educated.Educated in what, Maybe better knowledge of the celebrities li or what.,
Well, for starters if you are from a rural area, please read your post and then we will talk.
Reblogged this on World Chaos News.
This article is in fact correct: most Russians do no want the Soviet Union back together if that means that we will have to work for and supply the remaining other moochers of all the republics who are not "independent."
Удар по Сирии поддерживают сенаторы, которых спонсировании военные корпорации. Для США война это лишь бизнес а для России это будет проблема. Сирия близко к России. Это практически то же что если бы Россия и ее союзники например решили сейчас под благовидным предлогом вдруг шарахнуть по Мексике. Например для защиты мира от "мексиканской диктатуры".
Вторжение сил запада в Сирию может стать детонатором для глобальной войны в регионе. Любая война это зло, это катастрофа, это гуманитарные проблемы. Неизвестно как отреагирует на вторжение запада в Сирию Иран а это уже государство с которым у России непосредственные границы, к тому же не отрегулированные по Каспийскому морю.
Многие аналитики уверяют что США нарывается на "глобальную драку" что бы обнулить свой долг в $15 трлн. Если Сирия не запустит третью мировую войну то следующим на очереди Иран. Иран не будет ждать своей очереди и очень высока вероятность что Иран вступит в открытый конфликт с западными агрессиями в регионе, как минимум перекроет Ормузский пролив. Россия и Китай откажутся от доллара сразу же так смыла в глабальной валюте нестанет. В случаии крупномасштабной войны глобальная экономика рухнет, она и так уже неустойчива. Всем понятно что цель не Сирия и не Иран в этой игре на востоке. Цели этой шахматной игры глобальный передел сфер влияния в мире. Для России стратегически важно сохранить баланс у себя под боком и если правительству в Сирии меняется то это не должно быть как в Ираке, Ливии или Египте где по прежнему стреляют, нет стабильности и расцветает экстремистские группировки.
I don't believe our government intends to start World War III in order to erase our vast amounts of debt. Granted, I do believe we have a debt problem but that is another conversation. What concerns our president is the atrocity of using internationally banned weapons. ...It just happens to be in Russia's backyard. I don't believe Americans are all that interested in what happens in Syria; but many of us become alarmed when countries start ignoring the conventions of war. Syria, one of Russia's neighbors and ally, is misbehaving in a major way. If Russia is willing to tolerate a neighbor like that then it reflects poorly on Russia. What else is Mother Russia capable of tolerating? Syria is their backyard, they should take care of it.
Exactly! I don't want to lose anymore US lives for other countries issues but I certainly do not want to see these types of actions against people and become more common either.
I think it's fair to say Putin can't stand the U.S. Further, he thrives off looking tough and macho. There's probably good reasons for him to dislike us. However, what says something about his character is his display of loyalty and devotion to Syria. I'm sure he doesn't want more unrest in the region - but, when you have a leader that chooses to support someone that is gassing his own people, that tells you he's an immoral man. There's nothing that can rationalize his actions with this matter to make him out as a decent man. As a side note, do a search on youtube of N. Korea labor camps in Russia. Interesting little side of Putin working with N. Korea.
. . . and . . .
Дружище, где же эти нопосредственные границы России с Ираном? Россия это не Советский Союз.
I agree the 30 clowns in a VW is pure digital enhancement, but it doesn't change the fact VW's are dependable.
Well, he sounds like the W. Bush of Russia. If that's the case, it's not so bad. I would never vote for a republican, but he was a likeable enough president.
A blow to Syria's support senators who sponsored the military corporations . For the U.S., war is a business and for Russia this is the problem at hand . Syria is at hand in Russia . It is almost the same as if Russia and its allies such as decided now under the pretext of a sudden recoil in Mexico. For example, to protect the world from the " Mexican dictatorship."
The invasion forces west to Syria could be the detonator of the global war in the region . Any war is evil , it's a disaster , it's humanitarian problems . It is not known how to react to the invasion of western Iran to Syria, and this is a country with which Russia has direct borders, is also not regulated by the Caspian Sea .
Many analysts argue that the United States runs into a "global fight " that would nullify its debt of $ 15 trillion . If Syria does not start World War III is the next in line of Iran. Iran will not wait in line and it is very likely that Iran will enter into open conflict with the Western aggression in the region, at least block the Strait of Hormuz. Russia and China abandon the dollar as srazuzhe washed away in the currency 's global nestanet . In the event of a large-scale war, the global economy will collapse , it is already unstable. Everyone understands that the goal is not Syria and Iran in this game in the east. The objectives of the game of chess global redistribution of spheres of influence in the world. For Russia it is strategically important to maintain a balance in their near by and if the government authorized in Syria stagnant then it should not be like Iraq , Libya or Egypt where still srelyayut , there is no stability , and blossoms ekstrimiskie gruperovki .
You can write in English, Russian or Spenglish but it is nothing more than a garbage by some Wall Street speculator. Once the bombs start falling on Syria, Russia will disappear like water droplets on hot sunny day.
The bombs never came. my friend. Just a strong opposition of Russia was enough to make the US shut up. Going back to the era of Brezhnev, and I quite like it.
The bombs never came but Putin cried to work things out with Syria. Trust me. They were a coming and still will if Syrai does not comply because this President is getting sick and tired of Putin!
BTW, this is a completely true story. My ex-father in law is a Colonel in the FSB (formerly the KGB). He was actually passed over for a promotion to General because I married his daughter. He has know of Putin throughout his entire career and has personally attested to me EVERYTHING McCain has said about Putin. This is a second hand story, from a first hand account from deep inside the Russian government, the few people rarely get to experience. He never voted for Putin and never would. What most people do not realize in World Politics is that there are no "coincidences". There is no coincidence that Putin attempts to put on a power play with his "negotiated" agreement to disarm Syria of their chemical weapons and Iran now wanting to come and "play ball" with the U.S. The ONLY reason for both actions by Putin and Iran is to put on a "front" so the U.S. does not attack their friend and economical partner, Syria. They are COMPLETELY VOID OF HONESTY, GOOD WILL AND GOOD INTENTIONS as these are just stall tactics to give Syria time to win it's war and move it's chemical weapons. Time is on their side and we need to act NOW! To add to this, Putin is no different and no better than Hitler, Saddam Hussein, Bin Laden, Gadafi, and all other tyrants who do nothing but kill and steal from their own people and set back the development and growth of humanity.
dont you see that Americans are sick already of thsi superficial manipulating approach of yours ..and CNN s also...
Miss Jill Dougherty, you r probably one of those carrieristic cheerleader dumb unintelectual (this has nothing to do with your diplomas) russofob isolated woman who's sense of culture, tradition and values of a country stops at Coca Cola, Mcdonalds and "yyiiiiiiiiiihaaaaaaa"
Putin exploits every mishap an American politician does.
He impossed taxes but not before saying for years it'd never happen under his rule.
The average Russian only makes $12,000 A YEAR! Yet to Russians – he's like Bill Clinton, Lincoln, and Washington rolled up into one.
Prior to Putin there was another president which held similar ideals but was far more willing to negotiate with the west. Now Putin slouches back in his chair, on RT saying everything everyone wants to hear – arrogance is just his nature.
HOW many Russian companies can you name that the average person in any given country in the world would know? How about a movie star, singer, spiritual leader – anyone other than Putin? Nothing. Not one company, not one person. Yet this is success.
They have a massive orphanage problem. They end up cutting off the US which was the biggest receiving country then shortly after – any country with pro gay marriage laws.
RT which he personally signed off on having an unlimited budget for the US to spread it's propaganda is devoted strictly to Anti-American views. Go on youtube or their website – look at how INSANE the number of videos are that are Ant-American. There is nothing like it on the planet.
But with all of that, I truly believe Russians would rather starve then cave into the west to spite their #1 best selling car being American made, every top charts has an American singer on it, their best selling movies of all time are American, the clothes they buy are all American, computers, etc. Even when they had their first president – many in Russia called that western, now they call it normal and give absolutely no credit to the west. They don't give the west credit for anything, even that Android phone they're using or that Windows machine.
12000 in Russia is corresponding to 60000 in (NY) or 40000 i(MN), I just want to say that you can not compare salaries literary.
No, this not true. Almost everything: produce, housing, cars, utilities, gas etc.is more expensive then in United States.
How much does a loaf of bread cost in Russia?
Its actually what russians think about american. The only difference,that Putin's activity to stop the war is a real good move from him. In that case, Putin scored against USA, we cannot reject this fact
and u thought Putin was a saint?? The world will soon know his true colors.
This article sound like a bullying kid is repeating the words of a "becoming powerful" men/country because have no else to say or critisise.
That is how USA is seen, a bullying kid with not much brain who starts wars without proof of accusations...not to mention even showing those "proofs".
Для США война это лишь бизнес а для России это будет головной разгребания дерьма. Удар по Сирии поддерживают сенаторы, которых спонсировали военные корпорации
Комитет Сената США по внешней политике 10 голосами против 7 поддержал удар по Сирии. Анализ финансирования предвыборных кампаний сенаторов показывает, что голосование шло в зависимости от масштаба пожертвований со стороны корпораций военно-промышленного комплекса.
Каждый из 10 сенаторов, поддержавших резолюцию по Сирии, в среднем получил от военно-промышленных корпораций $72580 в виде пожертвований на кампании 2007 и 2012 годов. 7 сенаторов, выступивших против, получили в среднем по $39770, сообщает DailyMail.
В данном случае стереотип о том, что ВПК обычно поддерживает республиканцев, не сработал. Больше всего средств от военно-промышленных компаний получили республиканец Джон Маккейн ($176300) и сенаторы-демократы Дик Дурбин ($127350 долларов) и Тим Кэйн ($101050) – все трое поддержали нанесение удара по Сирии.
Сирия под боком у России. Это практически то же что если бы Россия и ее союзники например решили сейчас под благовидным предлогом вдруг шарахнуть по Мексике. Например для защиты мира от "мексиканской диктатуры". Вторжение сил запада в Сирию может стать детонатором для глобальной войны в регионе. Любая война это зло, это катастрофа, это гуманитарные проблемы. Неизвестно как отреагирует на вторжение запада в Сирию Иран а это уже государство с которым у России непосредственные границы, к тому же не отрегулированные по Каспийскому морю.
Многие аналитики уверяют что США нарывается на "глобальную драку" что бы обнулить свой долг в $15 млрд. Если Сирия не запустит третью мировую войну то следующим на очереди Иран. Иран не будет ждать своей очереди и очень высока вероятность что Иран вступит в открытый конфликт с западными агрессиями в регионе, как минимум перекроет Ормузский пролив. Глобальная экономика рухнет под военным переделом сферы влияния в арабском регионе, она и так уже неустойчива. Всем понятно что цель не Сирия и не Иран в этой игре на востоке. Цели этой шахматной игры глобальный передел сфер влияния.
Thanks for clearing that up for us.
Putin is a hypocrite, who is using all his influence to save dictator Bashar-al-assad from falling, because he benefits from Syria as long as Bashar is in power, Putin is not avoiding any war in the world, he is only helping Bashar from falling from power.
Amen - and when i read Putin's article, I almost hurled my ho-hoe's.
He maybe not perfect but he could stop a War. Nobody want War except thieves.
Some sociololgist, she keeps saying Americans this and that. It's not us, it's our US Gov't. that is evil. Most of us Americans are in denial or delusional. But we are waking up to the fact that we do NOT want to attack Syria and we have a potus that has lost his mind.
There's abt 20% of American public which wants the O admin to strike.
Now US media will portray Putin like he is Hitler incarnate.
He is right
and USA is wrong
How much are they paying you to be a Kremlin bot? Too much since you are not doing a good job.
Iskander, you are obviously very simple-minded and your comment may make sense to the backward, simple-minded and brainwashed people of Russia, but no objective, intelligent or informed person on the planet would agree.
I do not think you are less brainwashed as judge about the whole nation this way. I really doubt you have ever been to Russia in your life. But sorry, you are well informed and clewer enougth to belive new agencies when making conclusions. Such judgments for sure display your superior intelligence.
Yes, no objective, intelligent and well informed person would agree to that, because they know, that truth is almost always somewhere in the middle, and certainly neither the US nor Russia have the patent for it. However, if his comment would appeal to "the backward, simple-minded and brainwashed people IN -not OF- Russia", then, if we would change it just a little (he is wrong, and the US is right) would in the same way appeal to backward, simple-minded and brainwashed people IN the US.
This war criminal must feel guilty about the hundreds of thousands of innocent women, children and elderly men he has murdered in Chechenia.
Strange to hear this considering how Americans killed poor Tsarnaev and covicted another inocent brother.The people who made that to them are murders as well.
I can read Putin's mind !!! He is hoping for another opportunity to steal Super Bowl ring.