Russia's Privileged Class Rises Up

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In The Media

Russia's Privileged Class Rises Up

Fed up with a closed political system dominated by one man, Russia’s privileged class has taken to the streets to protest against Putin’s regime.

By Matthew Rojansky

Published on Dec 26, 2011

Source: To the Point

In an interview with Warren Olney on To the Point, Carnegie’s Matthew Rojansky argued that anti-government protests in Moscow and the rise of political activism in Russia represent a major break from what has been a “very cynical and very detached political culture.” Many Russian citizens—including the privileged class—are frustrated with pervasive corruption, election fraud, and Putin’s blatant attempt to hold onto power and are now taking to the streets. These protests, however, do not signal the end of Putin’s Russia, Rojansky contended. Given that the “Russian people remain, broadly speaking, sort of comfortable and tolerant of authoritarianism,” he concluded that the centralized political system Putin has created will likely remain in place.

About the Author

Matthew Rojansky

Former Deputy Director, Russia and Eurasia Program

Rojansky, formerly executive director of the Partnership for a Secure America, is an expert on U.S. and Russian national security and nuclear-weapon policies.

Recent Work

Paper
An Opportunity for Ambition: Ukraine’s OSCE Chairmanship
- Matthew Rojansky
In The Media
Presiding Over the OSCE: Challenges and Opportunities
- Matthew Rojansky

Political Reform Caucasus Russia

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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