Putin's Third Term as Alternative to Political Hypocrisy (Remark of a Political Cynic)

Putin's Third Term as Alternative to Political Hypocrisy (Remark of a Political Cynic)


Pastukhov V.B.,

Dr. Sci. (Pol. Sci.), Prof., St. Antony’s College, Oxford, vladimir.pastukhov@gmail.com



DOI: 10.17976/jpps/2006.02.13
Rubric: Dixi!

For citation:

Pastukhov V.B. Putin's Third Term as Alternative to Political Hypocrisy (Remark of a Political Cynic) . – Polis. Political Studies. 2006. No. 2. https://doi.org/10.17976/jpps/2006.02.13



Abstract

The motif of the article consists in substantiating the thesis that in the present situation — the power remaining the dominant organizing principle of Russian life and there being no real opposition in the country, able of offering a new agenda, — Putin cannot quit the power, he can only step aside from it, on creating a system of control over the successor's activity. On analyzing the general line-up of forces in the country, the author comes to the conclusion that in case Putin's reelection for a new term is rejected, the most probable scenario will be the return to a system of "party control" and the establishment of a party "diarchy", with the appearance in the party, apart from the leader (Putin), of an "appointee" — a person whom it delegates to "work" as president. In the author's estimation, the main consequence of such developments will be the formation of a bipolar political system and administrative chaos, which, as compared with keeping Putin for a third term, will cause greater damage to Russia. It will be simpler for Russia and will cost her less, the author holds, to leave Putin at his post for another five years, than to shake up the whole country in order to create conditions under which the latter will be able to rule the state from "political underground".


Content No. 2, 2006

See also:


Oganisyan Yu.S.,
Phenomenon of Totalitarianism: Exit to the Twenty-First Century. – Polis. Political Studies. 2020. No2

Shaptalov B.N.,
Russia’s Choice in the Light of “Classic Democracy”. – Polis. Political Studies. 2004. No1

Yanov A.L.,
Slavophiles and Foreign Politics of Russia in the 19th Century.. – Polis. Political Studies. 1998. No6

Lapayeva V.V.,
Why the Intellectual Class of Russia Needs a Party of Its Own. – Polis. Political Studies. 2003. No3

Melville A.Yu.,
So What’s Happened to the “Russian Choice”? 161. – Polis. Political Studies. 2003. No4


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