Teaching Comparative

Managing by repression

The "managed democracy" in Russia relies on more than just manipulation of the electoral laws. It also relies -- like the Chinese version -- on stifling organized political activity that is not pre-approved by the powers-that-be.

Rebecca Small pointed me at this article from last Saturday's Washington Post that illustrates the Russian attempts to control independent opposition.

There were evidently politically-motivated riots in China last week as well, but details are just beginning to appear. If you want your students to do a comparative case study of authoritarian repression, start with the International Herald Tribune's report, "Thousands reportedly riot in China," and watch for further details as they emerge.


Breaking Putin's Cordon

"The Kremlin has been sending persistent signals that autonomous political activism will not be tolerated. As a result, political action on the streets has become highly risky in Russia, and those venturing to participate in events unwelcome by the government should be prepared to get in trouble...

"Last weekend, in an unusually large political protest in St. Petersburg, several thousand people defied a government ban on their rally, broke through police cordons and marched along the streets of Russia's second-largest city. The event was organized by Drugaya Rossiya (Other Russia), a medley of small opposition groups headed by political opponents of President Vladimir Putin such as former prime minister Mikhail Kasyanov and former chess champion Garry Kasparov...

"While individuals may still exercise verbal dissent -- and smaller media outlets still pursue independent editorial positions, though they have been increasingly marginalized -- federal legislation has been repeatedly amended to broaden the government's authority to ban political gatherings...

"The relative permissiveness regarding verbal expression may be explained by the fact that the remaining media freedom exists at the mercy of the government. The Kremlin has ensured that most media outlets that are not state-owned are controlled by owners who are loyal to it...

"The Russian public remains largely apathetic and indifferent to infringements of its political rights and freedoms...

"But even if Drugaya Rossiya does not pose a real danger to the ruling elite, the Kremlin is not taking chances. Autonomous political activism and direct challenges to the president, no matter how marginal the challenger, are not allowed. Such actions have come to be regarded as illegitimate and are deemed disloyal to the state..."

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Labels: participation, politics, Russia

posted by Ken Wedding @ 11:35 AM