Russian Elections and the West
Rizwan Ghani
December 07, 2007
In a way West’s impatience to push privatization down the throat of an average Russian has returned to haunt the West in this election, both in terms of brakes on privatization and Putin’s growing influence in Russian politics.
Garry Kasparov, opposition leader called country’s parliamentary elections ‘dirtiest’ elections in Russia’s modern history. Most western experts and range of other observers including Independents said that elections have fallen short of usual international yardstick of free and fair elections. However, within Russia there are observers who feel that elections were free and fair because United Russia Party secured only 64% votes against the expectations of winning 80% votes.
The fact of the matter is this election was all about Russia’s national pride and economic stability. The common Russian has voted for a direction that points towards glory of good old Soviet Union- a country that was united, powerful, and provided for its people. Putin is just heading the tide of ‘revisionist’ Russia. The West is missing the essence of Russian election when they focus on election fraud instead of public sentiment. World therefore should not fear Putin instead it should brace for Russia that is on its way to regain its past glory.
Kasparov faced defeat not because he has lost his iconic stature but because he failed to understand the public insecurities, it faced immediately in post Soviet Union era. The economic flux of the time discredited democracy in the eyes of an average Russian-so used to free bread and other state benefits- was suddenly exposed to grueling challenges of daily life an advanced democracy. Their majority will never like to revisit that horrific experience of hunger, cold and abandonment.
Post Soviet era was a dangerous time and it left dark legacies. It produced a whole crop of oligarchs who seized state assets not because they had money but powers within Moscow and their outside friends wanted to avoid communist comeback at all cost. The way to throw away Russia was to privatize it. Therefore, Russia was privatized in cold blood and ill-prepared public was left to fend for itself. It was time for revenge. It was time to claim victory. It was time to destroy the enemy. It was time to destroy everything to weaken a state. It was time to take every step so that there would be no threat tomorrow from the part of the world where former Soviet Union was.
In due course of time rest of the world forgot Russia and its privatization. But the Russian didn’t forget the challenges of hunger, cold and joblessness. That is one reason Russians didn’t mind ‘unlawful’ or ‘lawful’ (depending where you stand on the issue) treatment of oligarchs being sent behind bars. For the common Russian it was more of case of ‘they versus rich oligarchs’ gobbling Russia’s resources. They didn’t care if West supporting the energy czars was losing a battle to control huge Russian energy resource Russia.
Putin with hand on the public pulse followed a simple but classic recipe of winning the hearts and souls by appealing to the national pride of the Russian. During his stay in power Putin has bought back every state ‘morsel’ that is important for the country and its people. He put has put tycoons behind bars. He has protected public interests by keeping the private companies away in critical areas.
He has insulated country’s energy sector from foreign firms. His handling of energy sector through state control has shown the western world a new concept of successful business that protects public welfare. Today Russian’s energy consumers and to great extend buyers from Russian energy sector on comparative basis are less exposed to fluctuations of energy markets especially gas. Putin has openly criticized the western model of energy resources management. The trail of corruption, failures and inefficiencies in western multinational firms has only proved Putin right.
In last thirty years, not a single refinery has been built in America and it is true for most of Europe where leaving aside handful the private energy sector has failed to develop, maintain or update infrastructure that was handed over by the state to them at start of the business. If Gulf refining capacity is taken out from the global refining economy would come to a standstill. In next ten years take out proposed 160 billion dollar investment by the eight main oil producing Gulf States the Western energy sector will fail to meet indigenous oil demand. Heavy oil is available in abundance with OPEC members but Europe, America and other developing states are unable to buy cheap crude oil because they lacks refining capacity.
On the contrary, Russia state controlled gas and oil sector has doubled its energy related infrastructure. It has bought huge shares in Europe’s energy sector. It has secured energy expansion plans in Asia under SCO energy blocks. Gazprombank a subsidiary of Russian Gazprom perfectly is positioned in ME ready to do business with Gulf States. Moscow is ready to embrace energy related developments from Iran, China and Pakistan. In short Putin has used his power and resources to strengthen country’s stake in global energy pie. At the individual leadership level, something that Bush has failed to do despite using force. That in itself answers the questions about efficacy of diplomatic approach towards business than using force to acquire business or resources.
In political terms Putin undertaken institutional reforms within Russia. Today’s Russian as compared to former Soviet Union is economically stable. The economy size has doubled. There are jobs. There is money. Poverty has been reduced. State is slowly taking over its responsibilities in terms of health care and education.
In terms of freedoms, Russians have access to internet, media may is not be totally free but it is expanding and it is only a matter of time that media will catch up with rest of the world. Russia needs to do a lot more in terms of human rights and other liberties and rights in accordance to its laws. There is always scope for improvement in these areas in terms of both legislation, implementation and upholding. It is hoped that with growing awareness and stronger media these areas will improve especially media freedom and human rights. It is also hoped that Moscow recognizes legitimate rights of Chechnya. It will improve its image at the global level especially Muslim world.
Putin by taking a firm stand against installation of long range missiles in Poland has reinforced his stature in the eyes of common Russian. Bush firm stand on the issue allowed Moscow to play it to their advantage on domestic front. The timing of the standoff couldn’t have been more helpful for Putin’s United Russia Party. Similarly, Putin has not taken Russia to war. It has improved his image as balanced leader both at home and at global level.
The independent observers however believe that West may have pointed out the weaknesses in Russian elections but Russians may actually have opted for economic security over democracy after their bitter exposure to the system in post Soviet era. Thus, in a way West’s impatience to push privatization down the throat of an average Russian has returned to haunt it both in terms of brakes on privatization and Putin’s growing influence in Russian politics.
Putin has come a long way, as revisionist Russia reasserts past influence of former Soviet Union at the global level. The Political evolution on road to modern democracy is a challenging process but one thing is for sure a strong economy makes the transition process easier and predictable. Russian economy under Putin’s policies is clearly growing stronger and stronger.
Russians by opting for economic stability have shown that they are still not ready to embrace advanced form of democracy but the voter turnout shows that it is only a matter of time the country’s political system will blossom into full-grown democracy. But for now Russia has opted for economic stability and national pride.
Western media may have pointed out irregularities during entire Russian election process but it failed to educate its public about Putin’s Russia, country’s growing economy and use of national resources to help regain past glories. In return, media failed to raise questions about shortcomings of the Western leaders who in all probability are leading their nations towards doom and gloom including undermining of progress on human rights, and civil and constitutional liberties within their own countries and their allies across the globe. The elections after all are all about change. It is hoped that West and its leaders will learn from Russian elections to benefit public at large and for the self improvement, also.
Note: A portion of this article has also appeared in Pakistan Observer (www.pakobserver.net) under Putin Encashes National Pride
Garry Kasparov, opposition leader called country’s parliamentary elections ‘dirtiest’ elections in Russia’s modern history. Most western experts and range of other observers including Independents said that elections have fallen short of usual international yardstick of free and fair elections. However, within Russia there are observers who feel that elections were free and fair because United Russia Party secured only 64% votes against the expectations of winning 80% votes.
The fact of the matter is this election was all about Russia’s national pride and economic stability. The common Russian has voted for a direction that points towards glory of good old Soviet Union- a country that was united, powerful, and provided for its people. Putin is just heading the tide of ‘revisionist’ Russia. The West is missing the essence of Russian election when they focus on election fraud instead of public sentiment. World therefore should not fear Putin instead it should brace for Russia that is on its way to regain its past glory.
Kasparov faced defeat not because he has lost his iconic stature but because he failed to understand the public insecurities, it faced immediately in post Soviet Union era. The economic flux of the time discredited democracy in the eyes of an average Russian-so used to free bread and other state benefits- was suddenly exposed to grueling challenges of daily life an advanced democracy. Their majority will never like to revisit that horrific experience of hunger, cold and abandonment.
Post Soviet era was a dangerous time and it left dark legacies. It produced a whole crop of oligarchs who seized state assets not because they had money but powers within Moscow and their outside friends wanted to avoid communist comeback at all cost. The way to throw away Russia was to privatize it. Therefore, Russia was privatized in cold blood and ill-prepared public was left to fend for itself. It was time for revenge. It was time to claim victory. It was time to destroy the enemy. It was time to destroy everything to weaken a state. It was time to take every step so that there would be no threat tomorrow from the part of the world where former Soviet Union was.
In due course of time rest of the world forgot Russia and its privatization. But the Russian didn’t forget the challenges of hunger, cold and joblessness. That is one reason Russians didn’t mind ‘unlawful’ or ‘lawful’ (depending where you stand on the issue) treatment of oligarchs being sent behind bars. For the common Russian it was more of case of ‘they versus rich oligarchs’ gobbling Russia’s resources. They didn’t care if West supporting the energy czars was losing a battle to control huge Russian energy resource Russia.
Putin with hand on the public pulse followed a simple but classic recipe of winning the hearts and souls by appealing to the national pride of the Russian. During his stay in power Putin has bought back every state ‘morsel’ that is important for the country and its people. He put has put tycoons behind bars. He has protected public interests by keeping the private companies away in critical areas.
He has insulated country’s energy sector from foreign firms. His handling of energy sector through state control has shown the western world a new concept of successful business that protects public welfare. Today Russian’s energy consumers and to great extend buyers from Russian energy sector on comparative basis are less exposed to fluctuations of energy markets especially gas. Putin has openly criticized the western model of energy resources management. The trail of corruption, failures and inefficiencies in western multinational firms has only proved Putin right.
In last thirty years, not a single refinery has been built in America and it is true for most of Europe where leaving aside handful the private energy sector has failed to develop, maintain or update infrastructure that was handed over by the state to them at start of the business. If Gulf refining capacity is taken out from the global refining economy would come to a standstill. In next ten years take out proposed 160 billion dollar investment by the eight main oil producing Gulf States the Western energy sector will fail to meet indigenous oil demand. Heavy oil is available in abundance with OPEC members but Europe, America and other developing states are unable to buy cheap crude oil because they lacks refining capacity.
On the contrary, Russia state controlled gas and oil sector has doubled its energy related infrastructure. It has bought huge shares in Europe’s energy sector. It has secured energy expansion plans in Asia under SCO energy blocks. Gazprombank a subsidiary of Russian Gazprom perfectly is positioned in ME ready to do business with Gulf States. Moscow is ready to embrace energy related developments from Iran, China and Pakistan. In short Putin has used his power and resources to strengthen country’s stake in global energy pie. At the individual leadership level, something that Bush has failed to do despite using force. That in itself answers the questions about efficacy of diplomatic approach towards business than using force to acquire business or resources.
In political terms Putin undertaken institutional reforms within Russia. Today’s Russian as compared to former Soviet Union is economically stable. The economy size has doubled. There are jobs. There is money. Poverty has been reduced. State is slowly taking over its responsibilities in terms of health care and education.
In terms of freedoms, Russians have access to internet, media may is not be totally free but it is expanding and it is only a matter of time that media will catch up with rest of the world. Russia needs to do a lot more in terms of human rights and other liberties and rights in accordance to its laws. There is always scope for improvement in these areas in terms of both legislation, implementation and upholding. It is hoped that with growing awareness and stronger media these areas will improve especially media freedom and human rights. It is also hoped that Moscow recognizes legitimate rights of Chechnya. It will improve its image at the global level especially Muslim world.
Putin by taking a firm stand against installation of long range missiles in Poland has reinforced his stature in the eyes of common Russian. Bush firm stand on the issue allowed Moscow to play it to their advantage on domestic front. The timing of the standoff couldn’t have been more helpful for Putin’s United Russia Party. Similarly, Putin has not taken Russia to war. It has improved his image as balanced leader both at home and at global level.
The independent observers however believe that West may have pointed out the weaknesses in Russian elections but Russians may actually have opted for economic security over democracy after their bitter exposure to the system in post Soviet era. Thus, in a way West’s impatience to push privatization down the throat of an average Russian has returned to haunt it both in terms of brakes on privatization and Putin’s growing influence in Russian politics.
Putin has come a long way, as revisionist Russia reasserts past influence of former Soviet Union at the global level. The Political evolution on road to modern democracy is a challenging process but one thing is for sure a strong economy makes the transition process easier and predictable. Russian economy under Putin’s policies is clearly growing stronger and stronger.
Russians by opting for economic stability have shown that they are still not ready to embrace advanced form of democracy but the voter turnout shows that it is only a matter of time the country’s political system will blossom into full-grown democracy. But for now Russia has opted for economic stability and national pride.
Western media may have pointed out irregularities during entire Russian election process but it failed to educate its public about Putin’s Russia, country’s growing economy and use of national resources to help regain past glories. In return, media failed to raise questions about shortcomings of the Western leaders who in all probability are leading their nations towards doom and gloom including undermining of progress on human rights, and civil and constitutional liberties within their own countries and their allies across the globe. The elections after all are all about change. It is hoped that West and its leaders will learn from Russian elections to benefit public at large and for the self improvement, also.
Note: A portion of this article has also appeared in Pakistan Observer (www.pakobserver.net) under Putin Encashes National Pride
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