Russian Politics Thread: Добро пожаловать!

[Mahdistan]

I was surprised to not see that no discussion thread existed focusing specially on the politics of Russia. Russian politics are heavily influential on the world at large, as Russia's position on the global stage is one which has affected nations worldwide, and is growing to this day.

Today, despite the sudden blow to its influence due to the breakup of the Soviet Union, Russia has returned to be one of the most powerful countries on the planet. From Syria to Serbia to Venezuela, Russian allies have an effective web of power worldwide, and a warming-but-tenuous relation with China is serving to shift world politics as we know them. Some consider Russia a proper counter-balance to U.S. imperialism, others see it as a bastion of oppression and backwards politics. Either way, it seems most hold one opinion or another on the world power.

So, where do you stand on Russian influence? Is Putin the perfect leader, or a cultivator of one of the world's most powerful cults of personality? Is Russia right to intervene in Ukraine and Syria? And could an alliance with China change the course of history, and if so, for better or for worse? I'm a supporter of Putin, though I'm not Russian. I follow Russian politics closely however, and think he's important to Russia, preventing the country from cowing to U.S. political ambition.

All subjects of Russian politics are welcome here. NSG, discuss.

Poll 1:

Vladimir Putin: Current president, United Russia. Nationalist, authoritarian rightist, accused of corruption in the west, very popular in the east. Wants to continue current policies.

Sergey Shoygu: Current Minister of Defense and general in Russian Army, United Russia. Nationalist, wants greater militarization, expand Russian military bases worldwide. Awarded Hero of the Russian Federation for work as Minister of Emergency Situations in 1999, accused of helping Rebels in Ukraine.

Gennady Zyuganov: Head of the Communist Party. Former candidate in 1996, 2008, and 2012. Stalinist, but not anti-religion. Wants to cut all ties to Ukraine and Turkey, expand sanctions, increase relations with North Korea, Reinstate communist holidays, and re-nationalize most major industries.

Vladimir Zhirinnovsky: Head of the Liberal Democratic Party, Vice Chairman of the State Duma, and colonel in the Russian Army. Radical far-right ultra-nationalist, openly anti-Semitic, wants to deport all Turks, Caucasians, Chinese, and Japanese from the country, regardless of their positions in society, and preserve the white race.

Dmitry Demushkin: Founder of the ultra-nationalist organization 'Russians' and former chairman of the banned Slavic Union Party. Radical far-right, accused of organizing racial extremist groups.

Mikhail Kasyanov: Former prime-Minister, former leader of numerous opposition groups. Ardently anti-Putin, has conflicted with him since 2004. Candidate who often is used to represent 'the opposition', violently hated by many Russians, who regard him as a traitor. Accused of servicing the C.I.A., and selling out Russia to make money.

Ivan Okhlobystin: Former priest (now disgraced), actor, director, and screenwriter. Satirically says he would declare himself emperor, wants to build a wall around Russia, and remove all non-whites. Says homosexuals should be burned alive. Banned from Ukraine, Estonia, and Latvia.

Grigory Yalinsky: Former leader of Yabloko and economist, ran for president in 1996 and 2000. Free market capitalist, opponent of Chechen conflict but still praised by Putin for his diplomatic action during. Center-left on social issues, wants Russia to join E.U., hated by nationalists.

Sergey Mavrodi: Former Deputy of the State Duma and founder of MMM, a ponzi scheme. Joined the State Duma to gain criminal immunity, discovered and pursued until his arrest in 2003. Formed numerous other similar criminal schemes since his release, considered one of the most hated con-men in the world. Still wants to run for president.

Mikhail Prokhorov: Billionaire and former C.E.O. of Polyus Gold, owner of the Brooklyn Nets, ran in 2012. Free-market capitalist, and strongly pro-business. Wants stronger relations with the E.U., claims to plan to raise the Russian standard of living above America's. Anti-Putin, wants to break relations with Iran and Syria.

[Dooom35796821595]

I think Mr Putin is a little too fond of preformance enhancing drugs and cheating.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/34765444

Someone tell Putin we want the 2012 medals back.

[Baltenstein]

Some sort of Sino-Russian alliance to counterbalance the Western countries may be what the Kremlin think-tanks fantasize about but frankly, from a Chinese perspective Russia is little more than a glorified gas station. Also, there will be considerable tensions between the countries in the future regarding the demographics of Eastern Siberia.

[The balkens]

Some sort of Sino-Russian alliance to counterbalance the Western countries may be what the Kremlin think-tanks fantasize about but frankly, from a Chinese perspective Russia is little more than a glorified gas station. Also, there will be considerable tensions between the countries in the future regarding the demographics of Eastern Siberia.

But Balt, Russia IS a glorified gas station. the bathrooms are shitty, the attendants are usually unfriendly and you'll be paying for shit that you can get cheaper at the other gas station. You know? the one across the pond?

[Liberty and Linguistics]

Putin has the temper of a five year old who isn't given his present of choice on Christmas.

[Geilinor]

Some sort of Sino-Russian alliance to counterbalance the Western countries may be what the Kremlin think-tanks fantasize about but frankly, from a Chinese perspective Russia is little more than a glorified gas station. Also, there will be considerable tensions between the countries in the future regarding the demographics of Eastern Siberia.

But Balt, Russia IS a glorified gas station. the bathrooms are shitty, the attendants are usually unfriendly and you'll be paying for shit that you can get cheaper at the other gas station. You know? the one across the pond?

Can't. American oil exports have been banned for 40 years.

[Mahdistan]

Putin has the temper of a five year old who isn't given his present of choice on Christmas.

Maybe, but in some ways that's helped. He doesn't dance around the issues or spend months waiting for other people to do his job. He is, if nothing else, very proactive.

[Kelinfort]

I was surprised to not see that no discussion thread existed focusing specially on the politics of Russia. Russian politics are heavily influential on the world at large, as Russia's position on the global stage is one which has affected nations worldwide, and is growing to this day.

Today, despite the sudden blow to its influence due to the breakup of the Soviet Union, Russia has returned to be one of the most powerful countries on the planet. From Syria to Serbia to Venezuela, Russian allies have an effective web of power worldwide, and a warming-but-tenuous relation with China is serving to shift world politics as we know them. Some consider Russia an proper counter-balance to U.S. imperialism, others see it as a bastion of oppression and backwards politics. Either way, it seems most hold one opinion or another on the world power.

So, where do you stand on Russian influence? Is Putin the perfect leader, or a cultivator of one of the world's most powerful cults of personality? Is Russia right to intervene in Ukraine and Syria? And could an alliance with China change the course of history, and if so, for better or for worse? I'm a supporter of Putin, though I'm not Russian. I follow Russian politics closely however, and think he's important to Russia, preventing the country from cowing to U.S. political ambition.

All subjects of Russian politics are welcome here. NSG, discuss.

>social libertarian
>supports Putin

Lmao.

[The Conez Imperium]

Putin is the most powerful leader on this planet at the moment.

I think he bungled up annexing Ukraine but Putin is determined to have his dream of big Russia.

[Mahdistan]

I was surprised to not see that no discussion thread existed focusing specially on the politics of Russia. Russian politics are heavily influential on the world at large, as Russia's position on the global stage is one which has affected nations worldwide, and is growing to this day.

Today, despite the sudden blow to its influence due to the breakup of the Soviet Union, Russia has returned to be one of the most powerful countries on the planet. From Syria to Serbia to Venezuela, Russian allies have an effective web of power worldwide, and a warming-but-tenuous relation with China is serving to shift world politics as we know them. Some consider Russia an proper counter-balance to U.S. imperialism, others see it as a bastion of oppression and backwards politics. Either way, it seems most hold one opinion or another on the world power.

So, where do you stand on Russian influence? Is Putin the perfect leader, or a cultivator of one of the world's most powerful cults of personality? Is Russia right to intervene in Ukraine and Syria? And could an alliance with China change the course of history, and if so, for better or for worse? I'm a supporter of Putin, though I'm not Russian. I follow Russian politics closely however, and think he's important to Russia, preventing the country from cowing to U.S. political ambition.

All subjects of Russian politics are welcome here. NSG, discuss.

>social libertarian
>supports Putin

Lmao.

It is my belief that a stable state system should be set up before a policy of decreasing the government should be made. Putin is not what I'd consider ideal for doing so, but it seems of all the people who have pursued Russian presidency, his is the only one that I don't think serves to divide the country.

[The balkens]

But Balt, Russia IS a glorified gas station. the bathrooms are shitty, the attendants are usually unfriendly and you'll be paying for shit that you can get cheaper at the other gas station. You know? the one across the pond?

Can't. American oil exports have been banned for 40 years.

what.

[Senkaku]

Can't. American oil exports have been banned for 40 years.

what.

We don't want to trade our oil to Qin Shi Huang or Saladin, since they have the tech requirements to build tanks and fighters.

[Eroda Saaniah]

Aside from his imperialist views on former Soviet nations, he's done quite well.

[The balkens]

what.

We don't want to trade our oil to Qin Shi Huang or Saladin, since they have the tech requirements to build tanks and fighters.

But muh economic victory.

[Rusozak]

Putin's like the asshole you put up with because he gets shit done. He's a bad man, but a competent one that ultimately helps Russia as a nation.

[United Marxist Nations]

Overall, he has been good for the country.

[Daburuetchi]

Overall, he has been good for the country.

MRW

http://www.slate.com/blogs/behold/2015/ ... putin.html

[Liberty and Linguistics]

Overall, he has been good for the country.

I'll admit that economic reforms were beneficial for Russia. Aside from that, how has Putin made Russia a better place?

I don't know why some left wingers like Putin, his economic policy was firmly to the right.

[United Marxist Nations]

Overall, he has been good for the country.

I'll admit that economic reforms were beneficial for Russia. Aside from that, how has Putin made Russia a better place?

I don't know why some left wingers like Putin, his economic policy was firmly to the right.

Because most of us care just as much for economic well-being of people as for our rhetoric.

[Mahdistan]

Overall, he has been good for the country.

I'll admit that economic reforms were beneficial for Russia. Aside from that, how has Putin made Russia a better place?

I don't know why some left wingers like Putin, his economic policy was firmly to the right.

A lot of it is because of how much he's done for the economy. He prevented the total destruction of the economy that the country had been heading towards and turned things around, raising the quality of life for the majority of citizens. He's also, obviously, no pushover to the west, which many Russians had feared would ensue after the U.S.S.R. fell.

He's draw considerably from right-wing economic structures, yes, but he's also maintained nationalization of certain industries, and re-nationalized a few which had been removed as part of shock therapy. Many of us on the left see him as an effective counter-balance against U.S. imperialism as well, which is sometimes viewed as more dangerous than Russian imperialism.

[Unnamed island state]

I'll admit that economic reforms were beneficial for Russia. Aside from that, how has Putin made Russia a better place?

I don't know why some left wingers like Putin, his economic policy was firmly to the right.

Because most of us care just as much for economic well-being of people as for our rhetoric.

Whilst being in bed with the same guy who rigged the vote in 96.

[United Marxist Nations]

Because most of us care just as much for economic well-being of people as for our rhetoric.

Whilst being in bed with the same guy who rigged the vote in 96.

We all have to make sacrifices.

[Unnamed island state]

For obviously personal reasons I find Putin apologeticism to be one of the most hypocritical and manufactured positions taken up by leftists.

"Here's a guy whose created a kleptocracy, survives on social conservatism and nationalism, and continued the policies of this guy we absolutely hate. But he's challenging the West so it's all ok."

[United Marxist Nations]

For obviously personal reasons I find Putin apologeticism to be one of the most hypocritical and manufactured positions taken up by leftists.

"Here's a guy whose created an kleptocracy and continued the policies of this guy we absolutely hate, but he's challenging the West so it's all ok."

How did he create the kleptocracy? Are you completely forgetting about Yeltsin?

[Unnamed island state]

For obviously personal reasons I find Putin apologeticism to be one of the most hypocritical and manufactured positions taken up by leftists.

"Here's a guy whose created an kleptocracy and continued the policies of this guy we absolutely hate, but he's challenging the West so it's all ok."

How did he create the kleptocracy? Are you completely forgetting about Yeltsin?

My bad, continued.