Teaching Comparative

New ideology in Russia

A bit of analysis by Victor Yasmann on the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty web site offers some background on the policies pursued by Russian President Putin.

The ideas also offer opportunities to comparatively examine the concepts of democracy and sovereignty as well as the effects of international and transnational organizations on nation states. For example, would the statement that "Russians have been a 'state-forming nation'" make sense to your students?

And, since, according to Putin, global economics is directly connected to all these issues, what are the connections and are they universal or particularistic?

Another thing to keep in mind, especially as you read Archbishop Kirill's comments, is the long standing issue among Russian politicians and intellectuals: Should Russia strive to be more like the prosperous, advanced West (think of Peter the Great) or is the genius of authentic Russia better than anything the outside world could offer (think of the last Tsars)? The debate for the soul of Russia goes on.

Russia: Ideological Doctrine Paves Kremlin's Course

"Two developments have become obvious in the wake of the recent G8 Summit in St. Petersburg: Russia's rising political and economic clout, and growing concern in the West that the Kremlin might abuse it. But talk of a reversal in Russia's intention of following its own democratic path may be misguided.

"PRAGUE, August 4, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Moscow's new diplomatic assertiveness was on display for the world to see during last month's G8 summit in St. Petersburg.
 
"And one controversial topic that dominated the run-up to the summit has remained in the spotlight -- Russia's repeatedly stated intention of following its own democratic path, dubbed 'sovereign democracy.'
 
"The concept was formulated by Vyacheslav Surkov, the deputy chief and prime ideologue of President Vladimir Putin's administration. Surkov began floating the new ideology during speeches to activists of the pro-presidential Unified Russia party in February and May.

"As outlined by Surkov on the website www.edinros.ru, sovereign democracy centers on Moscow's right to restrict the impact of international law, global economic bodies, and world public opinion on Russia's domestic policies.
 
"Surkov has said he borrowed the name for the concept from Che Guevara, who in 1960 wrote that some states have all formal attributes of democracy, but remain dependent on transnational corporations and foreign political forces.
 
"Surkov suggests that that Russia can materialize its sovereign democracy in the economic sphere by putting under the state's control or dominance 'such vital sectors of the national economy as strategic communications, pipelines, the national electricity grid, railroads and federal highways, the financial system, and broadcast television.'
 
"As for foreign policy, Surkov believes Russia must restore its global influence, for geopolitical reasons and because of its imperial tradition. In this context, Surkov notes that for 500 years Russians have been a 'state-forming nation' and that 'Russians always have matters beyond of their borders.'
 
"Surkov has also suggested that sovereign democracy could form the base of Unified Russia's political platform. The role of the president was not mentioned in Surkov's outline of his ideology, but, in fact, President Putin has already begun to implement it in Russia's assertive foreign-policy course...

"The concept of sovereign democracy has received considerable support from another rising ideological force within Putin's camp -- Archbishop Kirill. Speaking at the 10th World Congress of Russian People in April, Kirill universality rejected Western democratic values and defended Russia's 'specific' vision of democracy and human rights...

"It is also noteworthy that the Kremlin and its political allies adopted the doctrine of sovereign democracy at a time when a new generation of Russians is emerging -- one that is not familiar with communism or a totalitarian regime influencing their social and political lives.
 
"The future of democracy in Russia may depend on whether the Kremlin will truncate this new generation by succeeding in imposing sovereign democracy upon it, or whether this new generation will succeed in rejecting it."

posted by Ken Wedding @ 8:49 AM