originally posted by: Jelonek
I also don't think that Putin going away would solve anything.You see, the things that Putin embodies are ingrained in Russian culture. He's not a
product of implantation of foreign ideology in his country like North Korean leaders and their Soviet-based Juche and ruling methodology. He's as
Russian as you will ever get.
I would have to disagree with you. He's "as Russian as you got" back in the 1980's. Not today.
There was clear opposition to the notion of him returning to the Kremlin as President, more than had ever been seen previously. For every one person
of the thousands who protested against him, there were another 100 too scared to join them in public. These were generally the younger generation, the
ones who understand that the world outside of Russia is far more free, democratic and fair than they will ever experience under a KGB president.
In addition, I believe Putin has a mentality that flies in the face of rationality. I have seen several psychologists, and even previous associates,
stating on camera that they believe he has lost his mind and is incapable of calculating risk adequately. He is the very definition of a leader who
should be removed for being mentally incapacitated. He's a high-stakes gambler, willing to risk the security and futures of millions of Russians for
the vain hope of restoring his romantic vision of the USSR.
I do not believe that the Russian public wants a rebirth of the USSR. Yes, many do see several of their neighbors as "Russian", just as many within
those countries see themselves as Russian too, but this doesn't extend to the entire Russian society, nor does it go as far as people wanting to
reform those old Soviet ties.
Ultimately, I believe it will all come down to either forceful removal of Putin (as a result of war, or through an internal conflict) or a political
ousting of him by more powerful oligarchs within the country. The richest men in Russia couldn't give a damn about Putin, they care about their money
and their status. When that is being directly harmed and restricted, when they are seeing their own wealth hemorrhaging, they will be the first ones
formulating a plan to remove the man who insists on dragging them all down with him.
Really, the best scenario would be for the Russian people to revolt. That's what really needs to happen. The youth in the country need to become more
politically minded, more outspoken, and more resolute in their rejection of the "traditional" mindset.
edit on 14-9-2014 by Rocker2013 because:
(no reason given)