On the state of Russia's democracy in the wake of recent political upheavals on its borders, Putin went to get lengths to reaffirm "Russia ... will decide for itself the pace, terms and conditions of moving towards democracy."
Putin is directly referring to Washington’s pseudo democracies. The United States flaunts the banner of democracy only when that advances its economic, military, or strategic interests. #msg-6083247
By definition a democracy is government by the people and for the people.
A recent example would be Ukraine’s election in which Washington installed Viktor Yushchenko
Morning Edition, April 5, 2005 • President Bush praises Ukraine's Orange Revolution as a model for democratic reforms around the world, but U.S. officials still are waiting to see what President Viktor Yushchenko can deliver. Yushchenko visits Chicago after meeting with President Bush Monday in Washington. He will address a joint meeting of Congress Wednesday. #msg-5957070
Getting the ‘for the people’ thing mixed up Yushchenko is delivering for the wrong people, he is performing for the populace of the United States not the Ukrainian people that elected him.
Hence we see Yuschenko giving his all to revive GUUAM
In the context of GUUAM and the SRS, Washington has encouraged the formation of pro-US client states strategically located along oil pipeline routes. The latter are to be "protected" by NATO under GUUAM and various other military cooperation agreements. The hidden agenda is to eventually cut the Russians off altogether from the Caspian oil and gas fields. #msg-6154086
-Am
Putin's catechism By Peter Lavelle Published on April 25, 2005 This article was written for UPI - United Press International
MOSCOW, April 25 (UPI) -- Delivering his annual state of the nation address Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed his country would decide for itself the nature and course of its democracy.
Indirectly bushing off international criticism of democratic "backsliding," Putin called upon Russia's political elites to adopt the message and spirit of every annual address of his presidency as "a common action plan for the next decade."
Putin's address to both houses of parliament was discernibly different from his past five annual messages that have almost always focused on the state of the economy. This year though he spoke at length about the economy, Putin added an ideological layer -- something akin to a political catechism as a guide for the future.
On the state of Russia's democracy in the wake of recent political upheavals on its borders, Putin went to get lengths to reaffirm "Russia ... will decide for itself the pace, terms and conditions of moving towards democracy."
He also cautioned those who entertain plans of political upheaval in Russia.
"Any unlawful methods of struggle ... for ethnic, religious and other interests contradict the principles of democracy," he said. "The state will react (to such attempts) with legal, but tough, means."
He also attempted to dismiss the long-held myth Russian political culture is inherently incompatible with democratic principles and denied Russians, who have been "kept silent for a long time," want more than strong central authority.
"I would certainly want to bring those who voice such an opinion back to reality," he said.
Reacting to international criticism that Russia's media was closed and controlled by the Kremlin, he called for the creation of a public council within the Public Chamber -- a third house of parliament representing civil society groups -- to monitor the condition of the country's media.
On the economic front, Putin was at times critical of the government's lack of progress when implementing his reform proposals. He called for a crackdown on corrupt bureaucrats who he said treated "state service as some type of business." Importantly, he called on the tax authorities to "stop terrorizing business" in a clear attempt to address the concerns of the business community following the dismemberment of Yukos and a series of back-tax bills delivered to major Russian corporations.
Putin made it clear Russia needed foreign investment to develop its natural resources, though with some specific limitations. With national security in mind, he said: "It is time to identify the spheres of economy where the interests of strengthening Russia's sovereignty and security dictate the necessity of special control on the part of national and state capital."
Having made this distinction, Putin said: Russia is certainly interested in the inflow of private investments on a large scale, including foreign investments. It is our strategic choice and our strategic approach."
Striking a populist note, Putin called on the government to implement two proposals designed to positively affect the lives of average Russians. First, wages should be indexed to inflation over the next three years. This proposal clearly is in reaction to social unrest created earlier this year when Soviet-era social benefits were reduced. Since the implementation of this sensitive plan, the government has spent $4 billion to assuage popular discontent.
Putin's second proposal calls for the introduction of a flat 13 percent tax on earnings not previously declared, in an attempt to bring the estimated 35 percent of the economy out of the shadow and legalize undeclared income from previous years. Putin is not prepared to declare a tax amnesty for big businesses just yet, but for the average citizen he wants books set straight.
Throughout his address, Putin defended his record and his vision for Russia's democratic and economic development. He also, as if establishing catechism under his own name, prioritized what his presidency has been about and called to have these priorities become "a common action plan for the next decade."
Putin's first priority is the development of the state system. Many claim Putin's KGB background is what motivates his politics and outlook. However, in every state of the nation address, Putin recalls the collapse of the Soviet Union and the disarray, conflicts, and poverty left in its wake. Supporting a strong state, Putin is determined that Russia will not follow in the Soviet Union's footsteps.
The second priority includes strengthening the legal system and development of the country's political environment, and creation of a more effective justice system. The third and last major priority is the development of the individual and civil society.
Putin's three priorities and their ranking say a lot how the Russian president sees his country's present condition and what needs to be done. Putin's first priority of strengthening the state has been largely achieved during his time in office. The second and third priorities have been barely touched. The fact Putin elaborated on both within the timeframe of another decade is an admission a strong state is meaningless without reliable institutions to protect individual rights.
Putin has three more state of the nation addresses ahead of him, but with this year's speech he has shown acute concern for the kind of legacy he wants to leave behind. He wants to be remembered for more than creating a strong state.
Market Data 
Markets 
AI
