Consider the following:
* State workers are paid on time, and wages are keeping up with inflation (and inflation, finally, is under control).
* Corruption is a BIG problem in Russia, but corruption impacts the rich more often (they can pay and the risk of corruption is on the rise).
* Russia matters in the world again. During the 90s it didn't and Russians attribute Russia's return to the world stage to Putin.
* Russia's middle class is growing and it can do what it wants. Travel, leave, buy what they can afford, opt out of politics - ALL without consequences. This is a first in Russian history.
* More and more Russians are online and can understand what the world is saying about their country. The result is almost outrage! Most will agree Russia has a long way to go, but Russians are proud of their country and don't see it as a poor relation to the West. In fact, the more contact Russians have with the outside world, the more they see the West as only self-appreciating and holding double standards.
* Putin is one heck of a communicator in the eyes of the majority of Russians. Political culture does count. Putin never is on the defensive and when threatened fights back with a "take no prisoners" approach. This is lauded in Russia. Compromise is seen as weakness.
* Russians see what the West offers - "Do what you are told and everything will be ok." Western liberalism is completely dismissed here and those Russians listening to the West are dismissed and laughed at.
* Russians really resent being characterized as a people who are submissive to authority (as we are told in Western media). In fact, Russians understand the idea and reality of state authority far better then their Western peers - and use this understanding to their advantage. In the end, the Russian state remains very weak.
Doug Henwood <dhenwood at panix.com> wrote:
The Putin Popularity Score
Increasingly Reviled in the West, Russia's Leader Enjoys Broad Support at Home
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