Dear Sirs and Madams,
Vladimir Putin derives his popularity from the widespread perception among the Russian people that he single handedly reversed the lawlessness that prevailed after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Moscow is now the city with the highest concentration of billionaires. Furthermore, Russia seems to be a world power again, seemingly confirmed by the strong antagonism between it and NATO. Yet in all honesty, is Russia truly better off than it had been? Let us look at Russia from a political, economic, and social standpoints and evaluate its true state.
Boris Yeltsin eventually decided to rule by decree, consolidating his authority after shelling the Russian parliament in the 1993 Constitution Crisis. Not much has changed since then. It’s very likely that Putin and the FSB (Federal Security Service) masterminded the apartment bombings in 1999 to spread fear of terrorism and bolster Putin’s authority. The vertical rule of Vladimir Putin is just as, if not more, authoritative than that of Yeltsin. Election fraud have become more extensive than they had been in the 1990s, permeating into even the municipal elections.
There exists a perception that Putin has utilized his authority to establish law and order. However, what had once been at least internationally recognized as racketeering and other criminal activities continue on today on a grander scale, sanctioned by the government with former thugs holding government positions. A great example is Sergei Veremeyenko, a billionaire and former contender for the president of Bashkortostan (A candidate supported by Vladimir Putin won). He now develops land, utilizing the state anti-terrorist paramilitaries to rid himself of citizens who’s properties are in the way of his business. The state has clearly lined up behind the rich, the powerful, and the obedient. The few wealthy oligarchs that dare attempt to compete politically are ruthlessly discarded by Putin, Mikhail Khodorkovsky being the key example.
What we have seen under Putin is the increasing radicalization of racism, xenophobia, and coercive means of problem solving. The deteriorating situation is no where more evident than in the decreasing population of Russia. By 2050, Russia is expected to lose 50% of its population.
The oil wealth has proved effective in buffering the deteriorating condition by putting up a façade of wealth. Moscow may be filled with wealth, but the plight of the common people continues. In fact the lack of funding that has gone into health education, environmental protection, disease prevention has allowed the demographic crisis of Russia to snowball. AIDS, hepatitis, liver failure, etc. are now extremely prevalent and with the oil revenues decreasing, there is not much Putin can do to launch an effective health campaign to reverse the situation. A dying nation will be Putin’s greatest legacy. A great power is naught without the wealth and its human resources. With both drying up quickly where does Putin seek to take Russia?
It is important to remember that it is in the world’s best interest that Russia becomes a healthy and wealthy trading partner. It has much to offer economically, politically, socially, and culturally. Furthermore, its collapse will result in the greater proliferation of arms and loss of invaluable human resources.
The solution is in two folds. Russians need to be more open to foreign help in battling the demographic crisis. Russia simply does not have the resources. At the same time, the United States and the rest of the world needs to disband NATO and discontinue policies that create unnecessary antagonisms with Russia.
If world peace is an objective that we strive for, we must not only remember the size and firepower contained within Russia, but also Russia’s long history and traditions. It, like any other nation of the world, would probably appreciate a little bit of respect.
Best,
Yong Kwon
Vladimir Putin derives his popularity from the widespread perception among the Russian people that he single handedly reversed the lawlessness that prevailed after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Moscow is now the city with the highest concentration of billionaires. Furthermore, Russia seems to be a world power again, seemingly confirmed by the strong antagonism between it and NATO. Yet in all honesty, is Russia truly better off than it had been? Let us look at Russia from a political, economic, and social standpoints and evaluate its true state.
Boris Yeltsin eventually decided to rule by decree, consolidating his authority after shelling the Russian parliament in the 1993 Constitution Crisis. Not much has changed since then. It’s very likely that Putin and the FSB (Federal Security Service) masterminded the apartment bombings in 1999 to spread fear of terrorism and bolster Putin’s authority. The vertical rule of Vladimir Putin is just as, if not more, authoritative than that of Yeltsin. Election fraud have become more extensive than they had been in the 1990s, permeating into even the municipal elections.
There exists a perception that Putin has utilized his authority to establish law and order. However, what had once been at least internationally recognized as racketeering and other criminal activities continue on today on a grander scale, sanctioned by the government with former thugs holding government positions. A great example is Sergei Veremeyenko, a billionaire and former contender for the president of Bashkortostan (A candidate supported by Vladimir Putin won). He now develops land, utilizing the state anti-terrorist paramilitaries to rid himself of citizens who’s properties are in the way of his business. The state has clearly lined up behind the rich, the powerful, and the obedient. The few wealthy oligarchs that dare attempt to compete politically are ruthlessly discarded by Putin, Mikhail Khodorkovsky being the key example.
What we have seen under Putin is the increasing radicalization of racism, xenophobia, and coercive means of problem solving. The deteriorating situation is no where more evident than in the decreasing population of Russia. By 2050, Russia is expected to lose 50% of its population.
The oil wealth has proved effective in buffering the deteriorating condition by putting up a façade of wealth. Moscow may be filled with wealth, but the plight of the common people continues. In fact the lack of funding that has gone into health education, environmental protection, disease prevention has allowed the demographic crisis of Russia to snowball. AIDS, hepatitis, liver failure, etc. are now extremely prevalent and with the oil revenues decreasing, there is not much Putin can do to launch an effective health campaign to reverse the situation. A dying nation will be Putin’s greatest legacy. A great power is naught without the wealth and its human resources. With both drying up quickly where does Putin seek to take Russia?
It is important to remember that it is in the world’s best interest that Russia becomes a healthy and wealthy trading partner. It has much to offer economically, politically, socially, and culturally. Furthermore, its collapse will result in the greater proliferation of arms and loss of invaluable human resources.
The solution is in two folds. Russians need to be more open to foreign help in battling the demographic crisis. Russia simply does not have the resources. At the same time, the United States and the rest of the world needs to disband NATO and discontinue policies that create unnecessary antagonisms with Russia.
If world peace is an objective that we strive for, we must not only remember the size and firepower contained within Russia, but also Russia’s long history and traditions. It, like any other nation of the world, would probably appreciate a little bit of respect.
Best,
Yong Kwon
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