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Putin worships at the altar of strength. To him, Russia's problems in the 80s and 90s were symptomatic of one thing: weakness. Weakness in the face of change, of the West, of Democracy, capitalism. So he took what was strong in Russia: the Mafia, and he made it his own, and he put it in charge of the state, because he perceived that it was the only thing that was strong.
Some compare him to Hitler and talk about his desire to make Russia a great power at any cost. But Putin lacks what Hitler had: a vision. Putin rules with a combination of strength-reinforcing images and messages, but these do not blend together to form a vision - Aryan race resurgent, banishing the lesser races. To Putin, there are friends, and there are enemies; there is a strategic vision to pursue his goals; but those goals, let us face it, are pretty simple: stay in power, keep getting 75% of the vote, make Russia strong.
If Putin lacks an Evil vision, he lacks a Good one, also. America's "Founding Fathers" earned that title by caring about the future of the country more than about their own short-term goals, or power in general. They wanted to establish an Order, institutions which would outlast them. The vision of those institutions - a Government of the people for the people and by the people, was daunting, rare, but inspiring. This task they accomplished, creating a steadfast, if now seemingly archaic, democratic system.
Putin, on the other hand, does not risk being called the father of the country. He likes the pageantry of children; often they are running around waving flags at his parades, or bringing him a bill to sign, just like in Soviet times. But he shall not be the Father of Russia, not until he can form a vision. A vision! For a country, and a people, which badly need to know that there are things in this world more important than strength.
Some compare him to Hitler and talk about his desire to make Russia a great power at any cost. But Putin lacks what Hitler had: a vision. Putin rules with a combination of strength-reinforcing images and messages, but these do not blend together to form a vision - Aryan race resurgent, banishing the lesser races. To Putin, there are friends, and there are enemies; there is a strategic vision to pursue his goals; but those goals, let us face it, are pretty simple: stay in power, keep getting 75% of the vote, make Russia strong.
If Putin lacks an Evil vision, he lacks a Good one, also. America's "Founding Fathers" earned that title by caring about the future of the country more than about their own short-term goals, or power in general. They wanted to establish an Order, institutions which would outlast them. The vision of those institutions - a Government of the people for the people and by the people, was daunting, rare, but inspiring. This task they accomplished, creating a steadfast, if now seemingly archaic, democratic system.
Putin, on the other hand, does not risk being called the father of the country. He likes the pageantry of children; often they are running around waving flags at his parades, or bringing him a bill to sign, just like in Soviet times. But he shall not be the Father of Russia, not until he can form a vision. A vision! For a country, and a people, which badly need to know that there are things in this world more important than strength.
