Opinion
Hate Bush? Try some Putin democracy
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Also by Zach Stern:
- Daylight wasting time (April 7, 2005)
- Conservative betrayal (April 14, 2005)
- For everything else, there's bankruptcy (March 17, 2005)
- The revolution continues (March 3, 2005)
- Voter apathy with reason (February 17, 2005)
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As the Soviet Union fell apart in the early ’90s, independent nation-states began springing up like wildfire. From the Czech Republic to Poland, these former Soviet republics slipped away from the grasp of Russian dominance one after the other. However, while these young states may have declared their independence, Russia thought otherwise. The Cold War may be over, but the battle for influence by the world’s failed superpower will likely not end soon. Only over the past few years have many of the smaller ex-Soviet states truly begun to test Russia’s might through either democratic election, or, as in Georgia, outright revolution.
Georgia’s Rose Revolution took place roughly a year ago, ousting President Eduard Shevardnadze, the former Soviet foreign minister, in a bloodless coup. Along with running his nation’s economy into the ground, Shevardnadze maintained a dictatorial-like regime and power over the will of his people, silencing his enemies and maintaining close relations with other ex-communists still in power, such as Russian President Vladimir Putin. Thankfully, when the Georgian people said enough was enough, the old man went off into retirement peacefully. Now, a year later, the crisis in the Ukraine echoes that of Georgia, and is not one that ought to surprise anyone aware.
Except this time, for Russia, it’s personal.
During the days of the Soviet Union, Russian supremacy within the union as a whole was based off the coalition between the comparatively larger populations in both Russia and Ukraine. Russia sees the Ukraine as one of its ‘buffer states,’ standing in the way of NATO forces to the west, just in case. Now, with the election held in the Ukraine coming under extreme scrutiny from around the world, its results refuted nearly universally by respected world powers, Russia has come to the defense of the pro-Russian candidate, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych. Exit polls showed opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko ahead by more than 10 points, but supposedly he lost by a few points. Mass voter fraud and intimidation has been reported across the Ukraine, with opposition poll observers denied entry to most of the state’s polling places. Yet Putin had no problem proclaiming the election results “absolutely clear.”
But isn’t the Cold War over? Shouldn’t post-Soviet Russia have no problem allowing the natural spread of democracy? Isn’t Russia itself a democratic state?
To call Russia a democracy would be like calling Iraq safe, Sudan tolerant, or France wise. In both Russia and, to a lesser degree, the Ukraine, almost all political power is vested in the hands of around 10 so-called “oligarchs,” wealthy oil and natural resource tycoons who snatched up most of the government’s industry during the early stages of privatization. It is these individuals who not only fund the political campaigns supported by those in power within the Kremlin, but they also happen to be the primary source of funding for the government itself: the largest revenue source for Russia is taxes on natural resources, not on individual incomes. Opposition parties receive little access to state-controlled media to get their message out to the electorate, and in many cases are the targets of assassination attempts (and, some successes). Those who speak out against those in power can be jailed without question, and the courts hold little power over the executive branch. All your worst nightmares about the Bush administration abusing its power are actually real in Russia, to an even greater degree than is possible to imagine.
Many of these same realities exist within the Ukraine as well: difficult access to media and funding for political campaigns, and large amounts of pressure from the few elites who hold real power. Earlier this year, opposition candidate Yushchenko was almost unquestionably poisoned in an assassination attempt, disfiguring his face from looking like that of a healthy middle-aged man to that of an old decrepit grandfather in a matter of months. Yet still he presses on.
Encouragingly, even in spite of the massive hurdles faced by those who opposed the handpicked successor to current pro-Russian President Kuchma, many went door-to-door every day, passing out fliers to spread the word of opposition. While those in the east of the nation support Yanukovych and pro-Russian policies, the majority, particularly situated in the western half of the nation, are increasingly nationalistic and supportive of pro-Western policies. The fact that they could overwhelm the powerful pro-Russian forces both to the east and to those in power is a testament to the power of self-determination and liberty everywhere, and our support should absolutely be with them.
Putin has proven himself no friend of Western democracy, self-determination or freedom in general. His tenure as President of Russia has moved it further and further away from achieving true freedom for his people, and while they support him in droves, it is difficult to effectively oppose a man with the power to instill such rampant fear. America must stand ready to try to work for a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Ukraine currently, but must also not abandon its ideals of freedom and liberty. If Russia cannot accept the true will of the Ukrainian people, stopping at nothing to cheat them out of power, perhaps America and the rest of the world should not hesitate to respond with economic consequences of our own. The freedom of millions may depend upon it, and we should not shun our duty to defend those who cannot defend themselves.
Zach Stern (zstern@badgerherald.com) is a senior majoring in political science.
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Hate Putin? He started out like Bush.
Is this the same Putin that endorsed Bush?
I wonder what it says about an article that begins with the assertion that the Czech Republic and Poland used to be Soviet republics, and this by someone majoring in political science!?
A good piece.
Note, Zach, that this is the man of whom Bush once said: "I have looked into his soul," and found him to be a good man. But hey, Russia is against terrorism, so all else is forgiven.
gotta make sure you insult france, eh?
well, don't forget that calling russia a democracy is like calling american voters informed.
fucking conservative douchebags like you make me sick.
"fucking conservative douchebags like you make me sick."
conservatives don't fuck. it's against their moral values.
Ha, that's amusing. You want us to find Bush favorable in comparison to a man who clearly isn't really in support of democracy. Well enough. Except Bush seems to really like Putin, calling him by his first name during the debates and making the above mentioned statment. Not to mention Putin is a big Bus supporter. The Kremlin gave Bush a big thumbs up for another four years. Let's just hope George doesn't get any ideas from his friend Vladimir.