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On the spectrum from "Democracy" to "Totalitarianism," Putin Russia has steadily moved in the direction of a totalitarian system.

The defining characteristic of a democratic state is that most of the citizens of the state are given a variety of different ways to feel that their government is acting on their behalf, and at their direction. One of the most powerful techniques for making citizens feel included in the political process is the election, and thus far Russians have continued to enjoy this element of the democratic system. The fact that he continues to permit elections (of varying degrees of freedom) is one of Putin's most persuasive arguments that his government continues to be democratic.

However, almost all of the other characteristics of a democratic society are restricted or completely missing from Russian society. It is difficult for people to "vote with their rubles" as many aspects of the economy are controlled either by the state, or by large corporations with close ties to government. The checks and balances normally found in a democratic system have been eroded, as the President has achieved overwhelming influence over the government, which according to the Constitution, is lead by the Prime Minister, not the President. The upper chamber of the legislature has been radically transformed into a body designed to support the goals of the president. This chamber is also responsible for confirming the President's nominees to the three top Russian courts, thereby extending Putin's influence even into the supposedly separate judiciary.

Most seriously, both the rule of law and the freedom to speak out against the government have been seriously undermined. The Russian government employed a series of legal actions to essentially nationalize the assets of the Yukos oil company, which was controlled by Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who had started to involve himself in Russian politics without the blessing of Putin. Although this is the most high-profile instance of the Russian government employing regulation or law in undemocratic ways, such acts continue. It is dangerous in Russia today to be successful unless you have connections with the Kremlin.

Opposition newspapers and journalists have been shut down or intimidated into falling silent. Independent television stations have been taken over by state-controlled institutions, and journalists have been murdered. Many of these murders remain "unsolved."

Russia today makes some effort to look democratic but it does not really try that hard. There are a few remaining democratic elements in the system governing Russia, but it cannot be called a democracy.

Learn more about this author, David Thill.
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