Democracy ‘problematic’ for Russia’s new fans
Credit: Sydney Morning Herald
Have Western politicians and intellectuals been seduced by Putin’s Russia just as an earlier generation became “useful idiots” for the Soviet Union?
The Schroederization of European policy elites is especially pronounced, she argues, citing the European Council on Foreign Relations’ publication, What Does Russia Think?, which regurgitates dubious rationales for the ruling elite’s authoritarianism and geopolitical ambitions. (An earlier book provided a similar apologia for China’s one-party rule).
The Kremlin’s attempts to court Western intellectuals through the likes of the Valdai Club appear to be paying off, as the case of Robert Cooper, the E.U.’s director-general for external and politico-military affairs, demonstrates.
“Sometimes I think that the word ‘democracy’ becomes problematic,” he told the pro-Kremlin Russian Institute. “I would prefer to talk about responsible, open government that defends the rights of nations … but has enough legitimacy to use tough administrative measures when there is a need for them.”
As Shevstova observes, “Such an understanding of democracy is exactly what the current Russian government is looking for.”
While some visiting politicians make a point of meeting Russia’s beleaguered democrats, there is little serious or sustainable solidarity.
“They ask us how they can help us. We explain that they should raise the question of human rights and democracy when talking to Russian leaders,” says Arseny Roginski of the Memorial human rights group, a grantee of the National Endowment for Democracy. “But after that, usually nothing happens.”
