Posted on March 7, 2012 - by Venik
Letters: Don’t blast Putin, let’s sort our own mess
I find myself increasingly irritated by the media treatment of Vladimir Putin. I am only too aware that he is no angel and that his re-election more than likely involved some elements of corruption. It is, however, quite apparent that he enjoys the support of a majority of the Russian population, particularly that outside the urban centres (‘Russia without Putin!’ they cried, 6 March).
What annoys me is our patronising assumption of the superiority of our own “democratic” model when compared with the autocratic, centralised rule which Putin enjoys. Are we really sure that our democracy deserves to be so feted? It seems to me that it produces weak, conflicted and corrupt government, which is, in essence, no different from that which we are so quick to criticise in others. Just because the corruption here is financial rather than political does not make it any more fair or honest.
It needs to be remembered that Russia has never known democratic rule – only cruel or benevolent autocracy. Why do we think that our model would be so good for them? In fact, unleashing the latent rivalries, ethnic confusion and religious conflict might be catastrophic. Let us recognise that this huge county is moving slowly towards tolerating individual expression, even though it has a long way to go. I think that we would more productively focus on how to unmask the blatant abuses of power in our own system, as the current coalition government systematically dismantles 50 years of socially cohesive welfare reform. Let’s take the beam out of our own eye before removing a speck from the eye of others.
Ian Macilwain
Aberdeen
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