Political Culture in Russia
The Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty report on Mikhail Kasyanov's candidacy might make bigger headlines, but the June 1 article about political culture is probably more important for students of comparative politics.Brian Whitmore, the RFE/RL writer, suggests that suppression of dissent in Russia might be based on insecure power not confident authority. That might parallel the crackdown in Iran.
Opposition Group Nominates Kasyanov For President
"MOSCOW, June 2, 2007 -- In Moscow today, the Russian People's Democratic Union nominated former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov to run as its candidate for the Russian presidency in next year's election, according to RFE/RL's Russian Service.
"Kasyanov, who heads the opposition movement, told supporters the main points of his platform will include the abolition of compulsory military conscription, free education and health care for all and reforming the police.
"Kasyanov has been highly critical of current President Vladimir Putin, who has promised to abide by the constitution and step down after two terms in office in 2008."
Culture Of Fear Back With A Vengeance
"Fear, intimidation, and coercion are back in vogue as tools of Russian policy, both at home and abroad.
"For evidence, one need look no further than the events of the past month.
"In the southwestern Russian city of Voronezh, opposition activists tried to gather for a small demonstration on May 29. Within minutes, police moved in, violently breaking up the protest and arresting the participants.
"Two days earlier in Moscow, Marco Cappato, an Italian member of the European Parliament, was beaten by Russian nationalists in full view of police as he took part in a gay-rights march... The police finally did move in. But instead of arresting the attackers, the police detained Cappato...
"Earlier in the month, on May 2, members of the Kremlin-backed youth group Nashi loudly protesting "fascism" broke up a press conference by Marina Kaljurand, the Estonian ambassador to Russia, who was trying to defuse mounting anger over her country's relocation of a Soviet-era monument from central Tallinn...
"The Kremlin's crackdown on its opponents has at times been almost shockingly severe.
"Media outlets have come under repeated crackdowns, and outspoken Kremlin critics like journalist Anna Politkovskaya and former security officer Aleksandr Litvinenko have been killed in horrifying and unexplained circumstances...
"[T]he fear of public dissent remains high among the political elite... the Kremlin's bluster and frequent crackdowns on the opposition, rather than representing a show of strength, masks a deep insecurity... that their hold on power could be tenuous..."
Labels: political culture, Russia
posted by Ken Wedding @ 5:49 AM
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