Vladamir Putin: Just Popular, or Pulling The Strings? - General

[QUOTE=ThePutty;33045411]putin is a soviet era dictator that just so happens to be smart enough to create a cultural persona to convince westerners that he's a great leader[/QUOTE] Essentially Stalin 70 years ago.

He has a tough guy image and people (including most of facepunch) blindly buy it. [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Litvinenko_poisoning[/url]

He's actually [I][B]doing both[/B][/I], maintaining a good image while rebuilding Russia from the clusterfuck that was the fall of the USSR by [I]any [/I]means necessary. Of course he's a villain, he's just a Villain with Good Publicity that also happens to be really good at his job as a world leader and leader of his country.

[QUOTE=Turnips5;33079717]He has a tough guy image and people (including most of facepunch) blindly buy it. [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Litvinenko_poisoning[/url][/QUOTE]Wow, that's freaky. Apparently he also ordered the assassination of a Russian journalist. [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Politkovskaya[/url]

[QUOTE=Madman_Andre;33136430]He's actually [I][B]doing both[/B][/I], maintaining a good image while rebuilding Russia from the clusterfuck that was the fall of the USSR by [I]any [/I]means necessary. Of course he's a villain, he's just a Villain with Good Publicity that also happens to be really good at his job as a world leader and leader of his country.[/QUOTE] Now, are you only saying this because of what you hear and think of Putin, or because you actually have knowledge of the subject? A few posters in this thread claiming Russian nationality/citizen status have completely refuted the idea of him being a good leader.

[QUOTE=Madman_Andre;33136430]He's actually [I][B]doing both[/B][/I], maintaining a good image while rebuilding Russia from the clusterfuck that was the fall of the USSR by [I]any [/I]means necessary. Of course he's a villain, he's just a Villain with Good Publicity that also happens to be really good at his job as a world leader and leader of his country.[/QUOTE] Most of above is not even close to truth

I won't pretend to know a whole lot about Russian politics, but I do like these achievements of his: from OP: [I]Putin is credited with bringing political stability and re-establishing the rule of law in the country. He successfully restored the territorial integrity of Russia in the Second Chechen War. During Putin's presidency, Russia's economy bounced back from crisis, growing for nine straight years and seeing GDP increase by 72% in PPP (sixfold in nominal), poverty decrease by more than 50%, and average monthly salaries increase from $80 to $640. These achievements were ascribed to strong macroeconomic management, important fiscal policy reforms and a confluence of high oil prices, surging capital inflows and access to low-cost external financing, and were described as impressive by analysts. During his presidency, Putin passed into law a series of fundamental reforms, including a flat income tax of 13%, a reduced profits tax, and new land and legal codes. He put much effort into development of the energy policy of Russia, affirming Russia's position as an energy superpower. This included the renaissance of the nuclear industry in the country and the initiation of construction of several major export pipelines, including ESPO and Nord Stream, among other megaprojects in Russia. While many reforms and actions made during the Putin presidency have been criticized by Western observers and domestic opposition as un-democratic, Putin's leadership over the return of order, stability, and progress has won him widespread popularity in Russia. Putin often supports a tough guy image in the media, demonstrating his physical capabilities and taking part in unusual or dangerous acts, such as extreme sports and interaction with wild animals.A judoka and a Champion of Leningrad in his youth, Putin has played a major role in development of sport in Russia, notably, helping the city of Sochi to win the bid for the 2014 Winter Olympics.[/I] A lot of Russians I talk to, both who live in the States and in Russia, say Putin is an exceptional leader. Of course others have said he's a good for nothing autocrat. So what do I think of Putin? I think he's a good leader. But I sure as hell don't think he's a [I]just[/I] leader. I don't believe for a second that he's basically a modern Stalin, however. Putin hasn't come even close to reaching the level of paranoia Stalin had, and I don't remember Russia having any Great Purges or mass deliberate starvation recently.

[QUOTE=LiquidNazgul;33221222]I won't pretend to know a whole lot about Russian politics, but I do like these achievements of his: from OP: [I]Putin is credited with bringing political stability and re-establishing the rule of law in the country[/I][/QUOTE] Stop right there. "Political stability" is not necessarily a good thing, nor does bringing it signify good leadership skills. All it means is that someone is able to keep people under control for an extended period of time. Like the catholic church in the late Middle Ages, or the many monarchies across the world that lasted centuries, or both political parties in America's Gilded Age, or North Korea right now. None of those things were sustained because of any sort of political ingenuity, but rather because the people in charge were in a convenient position where they could get away with doing horrible idiotic things and not receive any backlash for it.

[QUOTE=ewitwins;32670900]Yeah, are there any Russian FP'ers here that could give some input?[/QUOTE] My entire family is Russian, we moved to the US when I was younger. I asked my parents about Putin and they said that they don't hate him, but they don't like him either, saying that he is a normal leader, and although there is a lot of corruption he rules well. My grandparents seem to like him as a leader though.

I find it strange that this point has not been brought up in bigger detail yet: Firstly with the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 90's Russia was literally thrown into a big hole and it just cept getting deeper and deeper, it was utter chaos. You had people forced out of their homes, rioting in the streets, an army attack on the parliament and a small group of people making a big was of cash out of it all in the sidelines. This lasted all through the 90's and [b]this[/b] is what created Putin, his method of government and the way he goes about governing is a product of that turbulent time. Putin was elected as a placeholder originally but then people grew to support him greatly, he brought order and stability, which was something that all Russians craved after the utter chaos of the 90's. He got rid of the aforementioned people making the wads of cash "the oligarchs" he simply told them "Look lands, give us that money back and don't ever try to influence the running of the state again, or there will be trouble" This was a man that offered real change and rebuilding in a country that had been ruined. Since his election Russia has picked itself up and got back on the international stage. Now the reason why some people don't like Putin, firstly his method of governance is harsh and nostalgic of the old Russia, it is almost a soft authoritarianism. Some Russians like this as it harks back to the Soviet days, others not so much. Secondly he wants to hold on to power, everybody knows Medvadev is a puppet of Putin that's clear to see. Thirdly in his quest to see Russia back in the game he has stepped on the toes of it's neighbours and of course the rest of the world, Ukraine Georgia and Belarus in particular (The Gas pipeline and gasprom, being a major factor), I'm not going to explain current on them events as it takes to long. Now popular opinion from a Russian standpoint, according to 2 of my friends from St. Petersburg although differing somewhat they like Putin and think he is doing good for the country, however ones believes he is too harsh while the other thinks he is not harsh enough, that's that for you. Corruption seems to still be adherent in Russia although Putin it would seem is not corrupt at all, the whole cult of personality thing with Putin just seems to be a media thing, he is an ex KGB outdoorsman of course it's going to get some coverage, and interest from the people.

Why are university students stripping for him?

Russia has been ruled by the same sort of people for the past 800 years and will continue to do so for the next 800 years. Pretty much oriental despotism. It's not inherently bad however, and can be an effective way of running a country. Leaders such as Peter the Great are fondly remembered, despite him ordering a lot of the old Russia to be simply killed.

OP updated with some articles

I would argue both. The economic recovery of the 00s certainly helped his popularity.