Svetlana Levanova, gr. 512

Democracy as I See It Exercised in Russia

Essay

Life has
changed entirely in Russia since the beginning of the nineties, when democracy
as the state’s policy was introduced. Not only lifestyles, fashions and
technologies were changed but also there was a turnover in people’s mentality.

We, the
generation, which was born in the 70ies – early 80ies, witnessed a great
fracture in the whole system of life. We experienced the break in our minds,
viewpoints and attitudes, but we are the generation to build up new Russia from
its cornerstone.

Russia today
is a materialistic society. Sociologists say that a materialistic society is
one in which material possessions are important. People are concerned about
financial well-being and security or even physical survival. Various hardships,
first of all economic, coerced Russians into fighting for survival, caring only
about most essential things for life. Such democratic values as, say,
inalienable rights are not relevant for discussion among those who do not have
money to buy some bread. If someone takes advantage of the right of speech and
enjoys it to the full, if this person states his or her disagreement with the
boss’s point of view on some subject, he or she will be fired immediately and
join the army of the unemployed. The unemployed in Russia differ from those in
the USA who can live off welfare and sometimes be quite satisfied with their
actual status. In Russia unemployment is synonymous with poverty and
hopelessness.

As soon as the
new state policy was introduced it began to cause a shift in values. Not much
changed in universal values such as family, work or leisure, whereas the newly
borrowed democratic ideas were somewhat perverted. Due to the cultural factor,
peculiarities of Russia’s historical development and current economic situation
people adopted democratic principles and customized every item on the list to
their needs and cultural level.

One can
sometimes hear an opinion that we live in a democracy so we are free to do whatever
we want, meaning that democracy entitles people to unlimited liberties. This
erroneous proposition finds its root in political ignorance. Sovereigns have
always governed the Russian people; first they were czars then communist
tyrants. Most of them were charismatic personalities able to keep the whole
country under their iron hand. Totalitarian regime implied regimentation of
every aspect of life. Ideology, economy and even people’s everyday routine were
supervised. Russians were deprived of the opportunity to judge, make personal
decisions and express their grievances. It resulted in political passiveness
and lack of any interest in political procedures.

In early
nineties census data displays a great leap of interest and involvement among
Russians. It was normal that people spent leisure time watching TV programs
about politicians or live broadcasts from rallies and conventions. But then
without tangible benefits from the new government their enthusiasm soon ceased.
Irrespective of the time spent at the TV sets Russians didn’t grasp the
principles of democracy. Having been brought up and educated in a totalitarian
society, which rejected the culture of democracy, they only acquired the
concept of freedom. Unfortunately they were unaware of what accompanies freedom
- competence and responsibility.

We may ask why
Russians are discouraged from participating in political procedures and
asserting their rights as citizens of a democracy. All plausible answers are
interconnected and knitted into a seemingly perpetual cycle.

One of the
most essential concepts of democracy is the idea of rights and duties. For
instance, no state, no law should impinge upon the right of speech and the
right to assemble. But in fact in Russia there are no special mechanisms that
would help its citizens form initiative groups and alliances in order to be
heard by the government. That’s where passiveness and incompetence begins.

A diversity of
all possible political parties should represent the needs of the population,
both majorities and minorities. As we plunge into Russian reality we can find
out that all the variety is a mere illusion. Political arena in Russia reminds
of a theater with a single actor who appears on the stage under different
names.

It is
necessary to regulate normal functioning of democratic institutions, but the
question is what to begin with. Probably it should be democratic culture or
loyal but competitive opposition or mechanisms that would help people stand
upon their rights.

Russia is not
yet ready for democracy. A country should have certain cultural, political and
economic background as prerequisites for democracy. Culturally Russians are
influenced by the doctrine of Orthodox Church and long-term pressure of
authoritarian regime. Tradition is inculcated in the Russian mind, which makes
the nation almost unsusceptible to changes. Political and civic consciousness
is not well developed. So this country should be ruled in a different way. It
doesn’t mean that Russia is behind the time or democracy is too far ahead to be
exercised in such a country. This nation unlike any other in the world is so
very special, contradictory, so contrary to logic that we have to find very
special means to manage it.