Is Russia a Democracy?
Aug 14th, 2008 | By Andrew L. Jaffee | Category: Foreign Affairs, SententiaUnder Putin:
- Russia’s free press has basically been shut down by government censorship;
- Russian journalists have been murdered;
- Use of torture by Russian troops in Chechnya is rampant;
- Putin has rigged all elections, arresting opposition leader Gary Kasparov, a chess player;
- The last “vote” held “may be the least democratic election since the USSR collapsed;”
- Putin tried to cover up the tragic loss of the Kursk’s Russian sailors;
- Russia has be intimidating and persecuting the Ukraine by withholding energy deliveries;
- Putin tried to poison Ukrainian President Yushchenko because he didn’t like his politics; and,
- Putin has tormented tiny Estonia because he’s such a big, tough hero.
Now read the Christian Science Monitor’s description of Georgia as a “young democracy”. for some perspective….
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Democracy means the rule of law, property rights, separation of religious rule and state, representational government accountable to the people, civil rights, and civilian audit of a robust military. Democracy is currently the most mature form of political system for peacefully organizing societies and allowing citizens to realize their full potential as human beings.
Sources are vital to any debate. Thanks to Mr. Jaffee for some good ones!