The efforts of Russian authorities to improve the state of interethnic relations and security in the country have not succeeded in defining the issues or analyzing the reasons behind the worsening situation.
Elements of the Soviet political order remain deeply embedded in modern Russian politics, regardless of whether Lenin’s body remains in its mausoleum in Red Square.
Lasting security in Russia can only be established when the problems of the North Caucasus are resolved. Society itself must initiate serious discussion on the North Caucasus and the ethnic tensions plaguing Russia, formulate proposals, and present demands to the authorities.
While Boris Yeltsin did a lot to build a state under difficult circumstances, he built it to suit his own interests and ultimately squandered his nation’s trust by not delivering on the hopes he represented.
Russia’s economic fortunes often determine the popularity of its leaders, and the personality of those leaders, in turn, influences the country’s socio-political development.
In the Russian Orthodox Church’s worldview the nation is not paramount, but nationalism nonetheless is a significant side effect of the Church’s activities.
Russia’s current political system is unable to create the conditions necessary for economic modernization, which can only flourish where political competition exists. Consequently, Russia first needs to reform its political system, but this process faces a number of risks.
As Russians look toward the 2011 Duma elections in December, whether or not Prime Minister Vladimir Putin heads United Russia’s list could have a significant influence on whether the party sees an increase in national support or a major drop.
The new conviction of Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky is a potent demonstration of the regime’s lack of commitment to the modernization of the Russian political and judicial system.
The mass unrest in Moscow this December has demonstrated the failure of the authorities to maintain stability in a multi-ethnic and multi-faith country.