Belarus and Lukashenko

[Jan III Sobieski]

So, why is Lukashenko Ruling Belarus communist-style with an iron fist?

[Heathen Hammer]

Doesn't this topic belong in PA?
Anyways, Lukashenko is a very good leader for Belarus. In fact, economy-wise he is doing better than any other leader of Post-Soviet countries. As for the whole "iron fist" thing, it is still better than being a western puppet and relying on EU-handouts.

[Jan III Sobieski]

Doesn't this topic belong in PA?
Anyways, Lukashenko is a very good leader for Belarus. In fact, economy-wise he is doing better than any other leader of Post-Soviet countries. As for the whole "iron fist" thing, it is still better than being a western puppet and relying on EU-handouts.

Ok, move the thread

[Armenum]

Just a post soviet nation that hasn't been freed from the Soviet type government. Soon enough Belarus will be free. It'll just take some time. Look at Uzbekistan, now that's a crazy dictatorship.

[Heathen Hammer]

Just a post soviet nation that hasn't been freed from the Soviet type government. Soon enough Belarus will be free. It'll just take some time. Look at Uzbekistan, now that's a crazy dictatorship.

If by "free" you mean something like Georgian regime than Belarus is better of under "Bat'ka".

[Applesmack]

The perfect example of a free post-Soviet country is Armenia IMO. Belarus should look at them for guidance. And yes, the Belarus regime is certainly oppressive.

Look at Uzbekistan, now that's a crazy dictatorship.

Tell me about. When I went there to visit one of my dying grand-parents and bring them money/meds, the corrupt airport guards tried to take it from me and later stop me from leaving the country to the extent that I had to BRIBE my way back...

[Armenum]

If by "free" you mean something like Georgian regime than Belarus is better of under "Bat'ka".

Well Georgia backfired because of a really dumb leader.

The perfect example of a free post-Soviet country is Armenia IMO. Belarus should look at them for guidance. And yes, the Belarus regime is certainly oppressive.

Armenia is not free. The country is run by Soviet oligarchs and the police can do whatever they want to you even if your innocent. On March 1 2008, there was a move to change the government but Armenian army flooded the capital and crushed the huge protest killing 10 innocent civilians, injuring many more, and jailing hundreds of opposition leaders. In addition to that 30 days of state of emergency was declared.

[Radosław Sikora]

Anyways, Lukashenko is a very good leader for Belarus.

I agree.
Ukraine has a free elections, but people live in very bad conditions. Belarus has not political freedom, but people live in much better conditions.

Freedom and prosperity don't need to go the same way. And if you'll ask people, what they prefer, most of them choose prosperity.
So, I am not surprised that so many Belarussians support Lukashenko.

BTW, since 2009 an avarage Chinese is already wealthier than an avarage Ukrainian. But an avarage Belarussian is almost 2 times wealthier than an avarage Chinese.

[Applesmack]

I agree.
Ukraine has a free elections, but people live in very bad conditions. Belarus has not political freedom, but people live in much better conditions.

Freedom and prosperity don't need to go the same way. And if you'll ask people, what they prefer, most of them choose prosperity.
So, I am not surprised that so many Belarussians support Lukashenko.

Do you have evidence that people in Belarus live better than people in Ukraine?

[Radosław Sikora]

Do you have evidence that people in Belarus live better than people in Ukraine?

I visited Ukraine and Belarus. I saw cities and villages. Believe me, there is a significant difference between these countries.
BTW, I am from Poland and I don't have any interest to support Lukashenko.

edited:
And here is more objective source than only my personal opinion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...PP)_per_capita

[Applesmack]

I visited Ukraine and Belarus. I saw cities and villages. Believe me, there is a significant difference between these countries.
BTW, I am from Poland and I don't have any interest to support Lukashenko.

edited:
And here is more objective source than only my personal opinion
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)_per_capita

I see..Still, I'm not a fan of sacrificing freedom for comfort or security. Those will always come in due time.

[RomanSoldier9001]

Because he can.

[Sphere]

Its rather a poor comparison between Belarus and Ukraine. Under the USSR Belarus was a center of industry, investment and social stability and was thus in good position to thrive in a post USSR world. Ukraine was mismanaged under the USSR, had a large dependence on agriculture, and had bits of Russia artificially tacked onto it.

Democracy has had a tough go in Ukraine, but if an Nationalist Ukrainian or ethnic Russia dictatorship had taken over, there very probably could have been a civil war that might have involved Russia itself. Personally I glad to see that the political tensions in Ukraine are being fought out in the media and in parliament rather than the streets.

[0N3]

Do they have good internet access there? The reason i'm asking is that youtube videos usually have had alot of people watching from all over the world, but always 0-2 from Belarus... is youtube censored or what?

[Jingles]

Taken from here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34633201...h_and_gadgets/

MINSK, Belarus - Belarus' authoritarian leader is promising to toughen regulation of the Internet and its users in an apparent effort to exert control over the last fully free medium in the former Soviet state.

"We will identify any person who disseminates lies and dirt, and will make them answer strictly to the law," President Alexander Lukashenko said Wednesday.

He told journalists that a new Internet bill, proposed Tuesday, would require the registration and identification of all online publications and of each Web user, including visitors to Internet cafes. Web service providers would have to report this information to police, courts and special services.

That's fairly recent I think. I've had pro-Belarus friends of mine tell me this article is unfairly biased, but I don't really know enough about the place to comment.

it is still better than being a western puppet and relying on EU-handouts.

I get the feeling that the place would be doing quite well for itself if it could keep its system AND grab the handouts.

Obviously that isn't going to happen though...

[Farnan]

Actually good ones are Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

[Heathen Hammer]

Actually good ones are Estonia, Livonia and Lithuania.

Belarus economy is doing much better than economy of these countries which get constant aid by EU.

[Farnan]

Belarus economy is doing much better than economy of these countries which get constant aid by EU.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...PP)_per_capita


No it isn't.

[Heathen Hammer]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...PP)_per_capita


No it isn't.

And again, they are in EU. Belarus is totally independent and on its own. Lukashenko did a better job than politicians of those countries who are doing relatively good only because they are in EU and get financial handouts from it.

[Farnan]

And again, they are in EU. Belarus is totally independent and on its own. Lukashenko did a better job than politicians of those countries who are doing relatively good only because they are in EU and get financial handouts from it.

The wouldn't joining the EU be a good decision, and the leaders doing a better job than Lukashenko for not being retarded and trying to go totally independent (except with aid from Russia)?

http://www.kommersant.com/p838631/r_...ign_relations/