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| Putin | 73% | 11 votes | Total: 15 votes | |
| Medvedev | 27% | 4 votes |
Putin
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Add to FavoritesA British historian and moralist Lord Acton coined the phrase, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." History has shown that many individuals who were in positions of power had the tendency to abuse them. Many established democracies have tried to create a system that would prevent such corruption, but corruption still exists in even established democracies. Often democracies fail when leaders refuse to give up their power, and Africa is a perfect example of failed democracies. Could Russia also be a failed democracy in the near future? Since the fall of the Soviet Union, and during Yeltsin's presidency, Russia has seen its fall from a super power. However, Russia has experienced a very different leadership since Putin came into office. During his presidency, he has consolidated his power and extinguished any notable opposition, and this is why Putin will continue to control the future of Russia.
Although Putin made administrative changes to consolidate power, but what makes Putin to likely control the future of Russia was how he oppressed political opponents and freedom of speech. As Putin made administrative changes, he also imprisoned several executives for tax evasion, but many of these prosecution were political motivated. In addition, Putin also slowly tightened the government's control over media, and censored many stories that involved Chechnya. Strangely, journalists that covered corruption and abuses of the Russian Army in Chechnya were found dead.
Most recently, Putin is presidency is ending due to term limits, but his successor is hand picked by him to ensure that his influence and power would remain. He personally chose Dmitry Medvedev, to become the next president. Medvedev was easily elected as president. Putin also said that he would gladly accept the position of prime minister if Medvedev appointed him to that position, and most likely, he would. In addition, Putin was also chosen to serve as the chairperson of the United Russia Party.
President Putin's history shows that he is not willingly to give up power yet. He does not change the constitution to stay in power, but simply circumvents it. Although Medvedev will have the title of President, most likely, he will only be a figurehead, and the true power will lie with Putin. If Medvedev steps out of Putin's shadow, he certainly will not last long as President.
Learn more about this author, Dennis Liu.
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Medvedev
The popularity of outgoing President Vladimir Putin is evident from the victory of Russia's first Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in the presidential elections. He made a smooth sailing because of being a nominee of Mr Putin, who is credited with having brought Russia to a position from where it has started reasserting itself as a global power. The booming economies of China, India and Russia has provided the much needed balance in world events. The Russian economy, which was not doing well when Mr Putin took over as President eight year ago, has been growing at 7 per cent for some time. There is clearly visible improvement in the people's standards of living. Thus, it was sufficient for Mr Medvedev to have been known as Mr Putin's choice to thrash his opponents.
Mr Medvedev's elevation as President is being interpreted as the continuation of Mr Putin's rule. It goes without saying that under the scheme of things the two envisage, Mr Putin will call the shots. The understanding the two had reached helped in pushing up Mr Medvedev's rating to an unassailable level. Most Russians want continuity in the policies of the government.
But Mr Medvedev, in his early forties, has the reputation of being a moderate. This is contrary to the image of Mr Putin, who has been ruthless in dealing with the opposition. Mr Putin had barred many parties from contesting the presidential election. He also ensured that the state-owned television network gave coverage to the election campaign of only his own nominee. By any chance if the two leaders begin to pull in different directions in future, it will mean real trouble for Mr Putin. After all, Mr Medvedev will be the man controlling the levers of power. Moreover, every ruler has his own style of functioning. A protg in power may not always listen to his former mentor. The West may be watching the goings-on in Russia in the coming days with greater interest because of their tense relations during Mr Putin's two terms as President.
The course which the Russian economy and politics will take in the coming years will affect the world in ways only time will decipher.
Learn more about this author, Gurvinder Singh Arora.
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