Quote Originally Posted by alexsms View Post
I will try to keep the position of the vector, the question was probably too simple, cos I am interested in what people think (mostly what non-Russians think, as I can generally anticipate what Russians could say): Do you think that Russia's democracy or not? - that's the implication.
as for your comparison introduction, Hanna, here are the brief comments:
in comparison to the USA? - NO
To the USSR? - YES
EU? - NO
or the Greek ideal? - The assumption in the beginning was that the modern sense of the word is considered. Thanks for reminding of the 'city-states' and further implication that the Ancient Greece idea was local and practical for governing of a city-state not a country (my suggestion was that we don't need the true and pure original Hellenic meaning, and apply the modern meaning, which is still not defined explicitly here, but for now let's see what people think if the question remains as it is).
I don't think Russia is less democratic than any of those examples, with the exception, maybe, of the USSR.

There are some VERY serious issues with the democracy in the EU, which is mainly run by the Commission, a meritocracy (not elected) which is very much an "old-boys" club from various networks and groups with political power across the continent. The Parliament is democratic but does not have a lot of power, less than half of Europeans even vote in the election, or understand how it works.
Additionally; the EU was set up as a free-trade area, not as a democratic "state", although that's what it's now merging into.

The Commission is very heavily lobbied by corporate interests, with unlimited funds (=corruption with a thin veneer of respectability). I actually have old friends who work at various bureacracy jobs in Brussels and everyone, even the insiders and believers in the EU as a concept (which includes myself) are well aware of the disturbing lack of democracy - open to abuse.

The United States as a democracy suffers from some very major flaws as a credible democracy, as no doubts all educated and open-eyed Americans are aware. Some of these are similar to the EU. Since the thread is about Russia, let's not get into it, but like I said: It's well known within the subject of Political Science, just for starters.

I would hold up SWITZERLAND as a country that is very close to the democratic ideal. If you are interested, I can explain why. It is probably the most "democratic" country in Europe, at least, for a number of reasons.

Russia and the USA / EU simply have different issues as democracies.
While Russia has more obvious corruption, the same thing occurs in Western Countries under the guise of "Corporate hospitality", lobbying etc.
Same-same, no difference...

As soon as you get rid of open corruption, and widespread contempt for democracy, that seems to exist in Russia, you'll be no worse at all than any other so called democracy.

In terms of police brutality etc - I don't see you being much worse off than people in the US, UK. Just look at Occupy movement how it was treated, terror laws, NSA spying, Wikileaks persecution, and the clank-down on any anti-globalist demonstration or movement. They kick drunks too (I've seen police in two Western countries do it) and sometimes beat up arrested people, although it's getting less common.

So my answer is that Russia is only very marginally less democratic than the countries you mentioned, if at all.

The issue I would have, is with corruption/bribes as a threat to democracy.
India, the world's largest democracy has the same problem, and countless others. So Russia is not alone and there is no need to judge yourself harshly about it. Just try to stop corruption...

In terms of foreign policy, I am having increasing respect for Russia as a moderate force - recently did a fantastic job with Syria.