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THE DAILY TELEGRAPH THURSDAY_OCTOBER 25_2007
english.fom.ru Results of public opinion polls in Russia
Letters to the Editor
WHAT ‘SOVEREIGN DEMOCRACY’
Eclipsing Switzerland
the Yudu publications. I went
I am a council member of the home and tried it out on my
British Astronomical Asso- computer and there it was.
ciation, and an expert on
MARIA STEPHENSON
MEANS TO US
eclipses. I have just travelled
UK (VIA EMAIL)
to Novosibirsk, Barnaul,
Biysk and Gorno Altaysk to
find places to view next Au-
Pear or piar?
LEONID POLYAKOV / RBTH
gust’s total solar eclipse and I read with interest the arti- MOSCOW
was impressed with the hos- cles by Palazchenko and
pitality of the locals and the Berdy. Recently I received “Sovereign democracy” is a neat term
scenery around Gorno Altay- two letters from a book edi- to describe the path Russia has chosen
sk. It is even more beautiful
tor. In English he wrote
to follow. It emphasises both foreign
and varied than Switzer-
“pear” and in Russian he
and domestic priorities, keeping na-
land.
wrote (in transliteration)
tional interests in focus when dealing
SHERIDAN WILLIAMS
“piar”. Mystified as neither
with the world, and ensuring these are
BEDFORDSHIRE, UK word made sense, I learnt
always provided for.
that what he meant was PR
These are no small tasks and – natural-
We want heroes
or publicity.
ly – are not resolved by merely the right
choice of words. But the ability of a
Do we believe that Russia’s
PATRICIA HERLIHY
UK (VIA EMAIL)
country consistently to uphold and im-
foreign policies pose a threat plement its national interests in the
(RBTH, August 25, 2007)? I world arena is not to one be taken for
don’t think there is a real
threat. I believe Russia had
Imaginary threats
granted.
In Vladimir Putin’s estimation, “sover-
some initiatives about how
I find the Russia supplement
eign democracy” is Russia’s answer to
not to have radar near its bor-
a most interesting and infor-
world realities and he believes that the
ders, but it looks like they
mative source of information
debates that have unfolded around the
were ignored. When my hus-
about the enormous changes
concept are “clearly useful”.
band thinks I do not listen to
taking place in this most in-
On paper there are about 200 sovereign
DRAWING BY DMITRY DIVIN
him or take him seriously,
triguing country.
states in the world, but in truth, very
cushions start flying. It is not
It goes some way to giving
few are genuinely sovereign. It is very more aggressive the attempts to “de- about Kosovo; if you want to talk about Speaking in Vilnius in May 2006, US
surpising that Russians use
some balance to the report-
expensive and even exclusive. China, mocratise” the world, the stronger the the Iranian nuclear programme, let’s Vice President Dick Cheney made this
bombers instead. I would like
ing of Russian affairs in an
India and another dozen or so countries rejection of democratic values and in- discuss that. But not democracy in Rus- statement: “The vision we affirm today
to see articles about heroes in
era where our press, political
are sovereign. stitutions. sia. Nothing good will come of it. But if is of a community of sovereign democ-
Russia. People who did some-
elites and opinion formers
Certain centres of power, most notably The logical question must follow that, you are really concerned over some racies that transcend old grievances,
thing incredible, something
can barely disguise their an-
the US State Department, are mean- if this argument is correct, what is the events in Russia, let’s talk openly about that honour the many links of culture
good.
tipathy towards Mr Putin,
while making major decisions and ap- point of imposing democracy? Why not them without touching irrelevant sub- and history among us, that trade in
IRINA KENNERLEY despite his undoubted suc-
pointments, even at the middle level, in let countries that have proclaimed a jects. freedom, respect each other as great na-
UK (VIA EMAIL)
cess in bringing social order
many “new democracies”, including course towards democracy after the Emphasis on Russia’s sovereignty as a tions, and strive together for a century
to a Russia which now has
those that were once part of the Soviet downfall of authoritarian or totalitar- democratic state is neither artificial, of peace.”
Getting to know you enormous financial reserves
sphere of influence. ian regimes, be independent in imple- nor extravagant. Putin and policymak- In this context, the Russian President’s
and virtually no foreign debt
What about Russia, then? Putin is con- menting democratic values? ers from United Russia, a political party proposal to be serious about the con-
I was pleased to find out more
and who personally enjoys
vinced that Russia is a country that The answer is simple. National inter- which enjoys a majority in parliament, cept of “sovereign democracy” appears
about Russia and all the news
support from the majority of
cannot exist without protecting its sov- ests remain an absolute priority in all speak the European and, on a broader entirely appropriate and timely. Our
and books etc. I was sitting in
the Russian people.
ereignty. “It will either be independent cases. “Democracy-bearers” stand to plane, global political language. As the world is no longer divided into two hos-
the train and someone in and sovereign, or, most probably, won’t gain if countries that claim equal sta- chairman of the EU Europe and Peace tile camps; we can build a fair future for
front of me was reading
ANTHONY SMITH
exist at all.” tus in settling global and local problems Commission, Romano Prodi said in his all only by granting to all the right to
RBTH and I got a glimpse of KEIGHLEY, UK Most would agree that the new century can be reproached for lack of democra- lecture in the University of Ulster sovereign development.
is free from a fundamental confronta- cy. They can offer a kind of exchange – (Derry) on April 1, 2004: “Kant may Probably this idea is too idealistic for
tion of the two poles, that Russia has no we will remove the question of democ- have been pleased to see what we have advocates of realpolitik. But will hu-
“enemies” and is not hostile to anyone racy in Russia and you will give us carte done in the European Union – a form of mankind survive in the age of informa-
itself. So from where does the threat blanche in Kosovo or on Iran’s nuclear supranational democracy in a union of tion and technology without ambitious
Questions to readers
come? Does it exist only in our own programme. sovereign member states. In some ways, ideas and human ideals?
-
eyes? The Kremlin for its part sees the The Kremlin’s answer is unequivocal, our union enshrines the essence of
Please reply to editor.uk@rg.ru
threat in terms of an inherent paradox albeit probably too tough: If you want Kant’s federation of sovereign democ- The author is professor at the Higher
to “democratisation” politics – ie the to settle the Kosovo problem, let’s talk racies.” School of Economics in Moscow.
Politics Business
What five decrees should the Would you invest in Russia?
Russian government adopt If so, in which sector of the
to fight against corruption? Russian economy?
Society Holidays
Are computers and TV be- What would you like to
LIBERAL REFORMS:
hind the decline in interest know about travel and tour-
in classical literature, music, ism in Russia? What type of
theatre and the fine arts? holiday would you prefer?
TO BE OR NOT TO BE?
With elections for a new parliament and of Russia to explain the current regime’s gradual. First we have to prepare the It took a commentator from outside Rus-
Poll results
a new President on the horizon the Rus- approach to reforms: “…everyone for- legal foundation, then mobilise the soci- sia, r_l in Estonia, to strike a lighter tone
sian blogosphere is split over whether the gets that the main thing is stability. ety and then make one step all together. and conclude the debate: “It’s no longer
country going to the polls will lead to a There is only one freedom – not freedom Step by step.” glamorous to be Liberal.” As with so
Russians choose high living standards
new era of liberal reforms. As winter ‘from’ but freedom ‘to’… freedom to do Those who want a change of gear are much in modern Russia, perhaps the suc-
draws in across the country, the debate is something better with the country. I however determined to make their voic- cess of implementing or blocking liberal
SURVEY SAYS PROSPERITY COULD BE RUSSIA’S NEW NATIONAL IDEAL,
hotting up on LiveJournal, Russia’s most think that Russia really has its own es heard, with many like oleg_kozyrev reforms will ultimately come down to
AS WELL AS SOCIAL SECURITY AND STRONG FAMILY VALUES
popular blogging platform, as to whether way.” In the wake of the instability in the striking a downbeat tone: “I believe that fashion more than anything else.
-
the country should pursue a new era of 1990s compared to the relative prosper- the upcoming elections may be the end
reforms or continue to follow the path set ity of the following decade it is no sur- of reforms. But I hope not. I hope for a The Russian blogosphere
WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IDEAS COULD UNITE RUSSIA’S PRESENT-DAY SOCIETY?
by the Kremlin in recent years. prise that some bloggers make these new generation of democrats who will has almost tripled in 12 months.
Some commentators like alexys suggest points. change our approach to the reforms and These summaries have been taken
that the authorities will not push on with This gradualist approach is supported make them more human.” The elections from recent posts on the special
reforms because the public are “afraid by contra_ventum who endorses the for the Duma at the end of the year will community set up for this newspaper,
of instability, hunger and poverty”. need for change, but only over time: show whether this new generation of http://community.livejournal.com/
The need for stability is emphasised by “Liberal reforms are necessary for the democrats can encourage a new more opinion_ru and compiled
similor, who looks to the unique nature country’s survival, but they have to be liberal course. by Marina Pustilnik.
PUTTING A BRAKE
ON CORRUPTION
SOURCE: LEVADA CENTRE
MIKHAIL GRISHANKOV / MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
lier, and have scored many successes
Debates are continuing in could unite Russia’s present- MOSCOW along the road.
Russia over the kind of com- day society? Left unpunished in Russia over the
mon ideals that could serve About 22pc of respondents In this year’s corruption survey by Trans- course of many years, the behaviour of
to pull the country together. chose high living standards as parency International, Russia was placed corrupt officials is often little short of
Politicians have floated ideas the ideal around which the 143rd: on a par with Indonesia, Gambia grotesque. Recently, state officials in No-
ranging from the revival of nation could unite – twice the and Togo. vosibirsk (mid-east of Russia) were
the monarchy to the promo- percentage posted in a similar While I am sceptical about such estimates, cheerfully auctioning off plots of land
tion of Orthodoxy and the 1998 survey. Over the past there is no denying that the level of cor- supposed to be allocated to pensioners.
restoration of Russia’s former decade, the rating of social se- ruption in Russia is unacceptably high, or If we are to counter corruption properly,
superpower status. They put curity as a unifying idea has – likewise – that no area of the country is it is clear that we need to establish a spe-
forward slogans such as risen from 6pc to 9pc and that free of bribery. On the other hand, it cial committee, reporting directly to the
“God, Fatherland and Or- of wealth and prosperity has should be pointed out that Russia ratified President and coordinating anti-corrup-
thodoxy” (an updated ver- climbed to 6pc, up from 4pc. the UN Convention against Corruption tion efforts on a national scale. Our aim
sion of the 1917 pre-revolu- Family values have also grown earlier than many European countries, should be to remove any opportunities
tionary trinity “God, Tsar in popularity, up from 1pc to and a new package of Russian laws are in for using public positions for private
and Fatherland”) and “Rus- 4pc. the process of toughening the Conven- profit. We will need a package of mea-
DRAWING BY DMITRY DIVIN
sia, a superpower!” Other, more conservative tion’s provisions further. sures, focusing on ensuring strict com-
A recent survey by the Levada ideas have suffered. Stability For what it is worth, I cannot agree with pliance with anti-corruption laws, mak- ests fully. Another bill prohibits former But I’m certain that if the state has the po-
Centre, a polling agency and and superpower status have the popular assertion that bribery is ing punishment automatic, and the de- officials from working for any commer- litical will to fight corruption and mobil-
think tank, aimed to find out dropped 2pc each; salvation rooted in Russian tradition. Officials all velopment of national and regional strat- cial entities they previously regulated. ise society against this struggle, the level
what the Russian public of the Fatherland has fallen by over the world trade their powers for egies against the problem. Of course, it remains to be seen how soon of corruption in Russia can be substan-
thinks on the issue. 3pc; law and order by 4pc; and personal benefit. Corruption scandals There is currently a new bill before par- MPs will pass the law. tially reduced in the years to come.
-
Those interviewed for the sur- national revival, by 5pc. Just are rocking the United States and Italy, liament designed to set very strict stan- As the head of the Russian Parliament
vey were invited to answer the 2pc of respondents think that Germany and South Korea. That said, dards for government employees. It pro- anti-corruption committee, I have no il- Mikhail Grishankov chairs the State
following question: Russians could be consolidat- some countries such as Denmark and poses that not only officials but also lusions – not a single country has done Duma (Parliament) anti-corruption com-
Which of the ideas (above) ed by Communist ideals. Finland came down on corruption ear- members of their families declare inter- away with corruption once and for all. mittee.
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