It was apparent to me visiting the Baltic states in 2001 that the transition to 'capitalism' had taken its tole there (though not quite as savagely as in Russia) and the countries provided an interesting contrast to relatively egalitarian Belarus (where I accidentally found myself without a transit visa), which I believe to this day remains 'socialist' (using the term in conventional formulation). And in 2003, according Channel 4 New (UK) Lithuania had the highest suicide rate in the world.* Facts Thomas Freedman seems to have overlooked, incidentally. Whether, from our complacent and academic perspective, these actions are 'sensible' they are surely understandable. And whether they will lead to a backlash would seem to depend on the efficacy of the police-state there--my impression was the lessons of the Soviet have mostly been forgotten or become obsolete and in this respect Latvia compares favorably to 'White Russia'--and whether potential long-term gains warrant short-term increased repression.
*While persecution of ethnic Russians is manifest, it was not apparent that other 'ethnic groups' (personally, Latvia was about as homogeneous as any place I've been, probably thanks in large measure to the Nazi legacy) fared that much better economically on the whole.
> [WS:] True, but do not expect too much. To me, it is more reminiscent of football hooliganism, which is quite widely spread in EU than of any serious political movement. Perhaps I am an incorrigible institutionalist, but mere mob violence without proper organizational structure - a party or a union capable of sustained political operation after the mob violence subsides - is not hopelessly doomed, but may have the opposite effect and create a conservative backlash (cf. Sarkozy's electoral victory in France).
_________________________________________________________________ Imagine a life without walls. See the possibilities http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/122465943/direct/01/