I want Russia to be a boring country – at least for the next few decades. In the twentieth century, Russia set an unquestionable record for all sorts of upheavals and social experiments that attracted the world’s attention. A time-out is essential.
This objective seemed to be entirely within reach – or at least possible – until the first half of 2003. Foreign correspondents accredited in Moscow complained that nothing was happening in Putin’s Russia. Investment in the Russian economy was growing fast. Unfortunately, Russia’s rulers are not accustomed to leaving the country and the rest of the world for long without something surprising to gawk at.
Instilling a feeling of insecurity is the best way to scare your population into submission and frighten away potential investors. How democratic or undemocratic a regime is usually doesn't bother investors. All they need and care about is stable, predictable rules.
To continue reading, register now.
Subscribe now for unlimited access to everything PS has to offer.
The prevailing narrative that frames Israel as a colonial power suppressing Palestinians’ struggle for statehood grossly oversimplifies a complicated conflict and inadvertently vindicates the region’s most oppressive regimes. Achieving a durable, lasting peace requires moving beyond such facile analogies.
rejects the facile moralism of those who view the ongoing war through the narrow lens of decolonization.
The far-right populist Geert Wilders’ election victory in the Netherlands reflects the same sentiment that powered Brexit and Donald Trump’s candidacy in 2016. But such outcomes could not happen without the cynicism displayed over the past few decades by traditional conservative parties.
shows what Geert Wilders has in common with other ultra-nationalist politicians, past and present.
I want Russia to be a boring country – at least for the next few decades. In the twentieth century, Russia set an unquestionable record for all sorts of upheavals and social experiments that attracted the world’s attention. A time-out is essential.
This objective seemed to be entirely within reach – or at least possible – until the first half of 2003. Foreign correspondents accredited in Moscow complained that nothing was happening in Putin’s Russia. Investment in the Russian economy was growing fast. Unfortunately, Russia’s rulers are not accustomed to leaving the country and the rest of the world for long without something surprising to gawk at.
Instilling a feeling of insecurity is the best way to scare your population into submission and frighten away potential investors. How democratic or undemocratic a regime is usually doesn't bother investors. All they need and care about is stable, predictable rules.
To continue reading, register now.
Subscribe now for unlimited access to everything PS has to offer.
Subscribe
As a registered user, you can enjoy more PS content every month – for free.
Register
Already have an account? Log in