According to an article in today’s Guardian Unlimited, United Russia, the largest Russian political party by far, is losing its appeal with the electorate. It seems that the party’s narrow platform, to support the President in every way, is something of a turn-off. So, what is to be done?
‘Create another…ÄpartyÅ…that pretends to be an opponent.’ Yes, Putin is going to manufacture an ‘opposition’ party…controlled by the Kremlin of course. This is another wonderful example of managed democracy in Russia.
As Andrew Wilson wrote in his book Virtual Politics, the Russian words often translated managed democracy are better translated directed democracy. Indeed, parties, politicians, successes, disasters, etc. are all largely crafted and controlled.
However, it is worth pointing out that even Wilson thinks real politics still take place in Russia – though at the moment very much on the fringe. Yet, in the mainstream, virtual politics reigns supreme.
Today’s Guardian agrees: this recent event ‘confirmÄsÅ the Kremlin’s paternalistic attitude to political parties rather than a genuine desire for a competitive system’.
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