Is Russia a democratic state?

[Aldgarkalaughskel]

I'm starting a debate over the democracy in Russia.

Does it really exist? Or is the establishment in Russia almost the same, with different names and titles? Somewhere in between?

[bushbush]

yes it is a democratic state, with a Russian flair.

[Aldgarkalaughskel]

yes it is a democratic state, with a Russian flair.

By this logic, China is a democracy too with a Chinese flair.

[bushbush]

By this logic, China is a democracy too with a Chinese flair.

na. China is an authoritarian state, with a Chinese flair. The flair mainly being pretending to be communist while making money in the morning and ing whore-comrades at night.

the Russian people do elect their leader and their representatives in their parliament.

[Aldgarkalaughskel]

na. China is an authoritarian state, with a Chinese flair. The flair mainly being pretending to be communist while making money in the morning and ing whore-comrades at night.

the Russian people do elect their leader and their representatives in their parliament.

I know, it was meant to be a joke - note the smileys.

BTW, how do you make difference between an authoritarian state and a dictatorship?

[bushbush]

[quote=PowerWizard;3235777]

BTW, how do you make difference between an authoritarian state and a dictatorship?

well, very similiar i guess, except China is ruled by a group (9 top leaders) instead of one dude with absolute power.

I know Russian president has a huge deal of power, probably more than most of countries with a president. But nevertheless, the people elect them. To me, election is the most basic symbol of a democracy.

[crazyorc]

Does it matters if you are not a Russian.

[Erik]

I don't consider Russia a democracy because the highest power lies with the president (or prime-minister now), not the people or the people's representatives.

Mind you: I don't consider the USA to be a democracy for the same reason.

[Gauvin]

I like the results. I would've put the option "Not quite - and is in transition from democracy to dictatorship"

[Caelius]

Mind you: I don't consider the USA to be a democracy for the same reason.

Good. The US is a Republic.

[kev-o]

Russia can be considered an illiberal democracy, which is a system where people can vote but they lack civil liberties.

[bushbush]

Russia can be considered an illiberal democracy, which is a system where people can vote but they lack civil liberties.

or, a semi-democracy, instead of pseudo democracy like the ones in Indonesia and Malaysia.

[Surgeon]

I think Russia isn't quite as democratic as it could be, but it's getting there. Let the next generation grow up and take over and maybe we'll be seeing vast improvement. It's not at all the same establishment as the USSR though.

[The Big Red 1]

I feel that Russia is not a democracy. Vladimir has taken over it's just he has done it in away that doesn't attract to much publicity. Also the ppl like Mr. Putin thus it seem to the rest of the world like everything is going dandy in Russia. He is a very smart man to take over this way and slip under the Radar. Luckily some of the media is still on his case, and by this thread I know that there are many ppl out there that aren't tricked.

All in all I feel that a more in control government is just what Russia needs to grow and expand. All in all wherever Russia is; it's headed down the path to competing with the U.S. again and the world should really pay more attention to this up and coming country.

Plus after Vlad finishes disposing of all the media in Russia and putting himself more in power there will be nothing we can do since the ppl support Putin.(those who don't)

[Strattios]

Nope, just like despite the name, China is no Republic.

[christof139]

Somewhat democratic as you can vote for candidates of various political parties, but Russia is losing about 700,000 civilian deaths and populaion per year due to alcoholism and other diseases and etc., so Russia may have a much reduced population in the future and ...

Chris

[Scar Face]

Not a democratic state. Limited options to choose from politically, the power rests in Putin's hands and no ones else's. There is no way for the people to affect Government, because there is only one possibility come election time. This may not be a bad thing of course. Democracies survive through the people, and that requires it to come through culture. Russia does not have Democracy in its history, its just not what the people are use to. They are use to a strong handed autocracy, and that keeps away potential chaos. So far, Russia is becoming better. Albeit slowly, but still better. In time they may become a true Democracy, in time they may become actually prosperous again, but as of now neither is true.

[Exarch]

Somewhat democratic as you can vote for candidates of various political parties, but Russia is losing about 700,000 civilian deaths and populaion per year due to alcoholism and other diseases and etc., so Russia may have a much reduced population in the future and ...

Chris

happily, i hear talk of chinese men taking russian brides and returning to china with them.

[christof139]

Much more democratic than it was as the Soviet Union. So, it has a limited form of democracy with authoritarian cntrol lurking in the background ready to pounce maybe.

Chris

[Lord Consul]

The term "Republic" has absolutely no single definition.

The Italian microstates were republics, even though the Doges were monarchs in all but name. The Roman Republic was an oligarchic regime, the socialist People's Republics were authoritarian dictatorships...

Anyway, Russia is not democratic.