> Really it's amazing how little Russian society has
> changed in the past 150 years.
Yes and no. Russia's traditionalism is very modern. There's been massive social change, but Russia has gone through some appalling trauma -- a world war, the Nazi invasion, then a Cold War. It's not surprising that people retain their traditions, because they're a source of immeasurable strength.
How goes the building of the petro-developmental state? Any local chemical/auto/chip firms taking off?
-- DRR