Russian elections

[gnome]

Part of the reason I suspect that Western countries just grit their teeth and wince at this stuff is because they wouldn't particularly cheer if the communists had won either, it's not like they have a history of liberty and fair elections. It's difficult to be outraged about the results if both sides are authoritarian.

 

[gnome]

As I see it, the only way to have an actually fair election in Russia is if the military leadership insists on it... Until there is a cultural inertia for democracy, what it amounts to, I would think, is who has the most reliable control over their army.

This is my knee-jerk, haven't paid-especially-close-attention-since-Putin-showed-his-colors reaction.

In-depth analysis from people who know what they're talking about welcome.

 

[geni]

As I see it, the only way to have an actually fair election in Russia is if the military leadership insists on it... Until there is a cultural inertia for democracy, what it amounts to, I would think, is who has the most reliable control over their army.

This is my knee-jerk, haven't paid-especially-close-attention-since-Putin-showed-his-colors reaction.

In-depth analysis from people who know what they're talking about welcome.

Military don't appear to be a significant factor at the present time. Putin is KGB.

It is probably entirely possible to have free and fair elections in russia. It's just last time they tried that they got Yeltsin.

 

[gnome]

Maybe not overtly. But if the opposition said, "No, this election was rigged and we're coming to claim the Kremlin" who would actually stop them? The military would. And it wouldn't be because they considered the election legitimate.