Book to understand Russia (mark: 6 out of 10)

• Book to understand Russia
  • Russian Politics
    by Marie Mendras
    • The regime is conveying a negative image of mayors, administrators, ...because public functionaries are easy scapegoats.
      Russia is not a state, is a world, Belarus and Ukraine are not foreign countries, Europe is another world. So it is difficult for Russians to conceive URSS countries as foreign and European ones as neighbours. This is because Russia imperial history was written in a world shut off from outside influence.
      Bureaucracy is a convenient concept because allows to make a distinction between a good political decision and its failed implementation. It enables people to avoid taking responsibility for failures.
      No situation of chaos, because local authorities are the bulwarks against humanitarian disaster.
      Laws are temporary, devised to manage an immediate situation.
      Since there was no private property or they own just small properties, Russians didn't feel the need to protect their status or heritage, so they didn't need laws.
      Moreover, since Russians didn't feel protected by the law, they prefer legal uncertainty.
      Putin is a cold, amoral person, and he can determine the Russia destiny
      The peril is when people have no principles (Russians do not fight for democracy)