NationStates Jolt Archive

A lot of people talk about the EU and China becoming new superpowers, which seems to be a likely development, although I think they will be so ALONGSIDE rather than INSTEAD OF the United States.

But I've been wondering about Russia. Sure, it's in a bad situation now, but Russians have historically had a knack of getting back up and making the world notice them again ... and again. The problems they're having now could be equated to a second Time of Troubles? Is Muscovy destined to rise again ... or not?

And that is the question for the debate that I hope shall ensue.

A lot of people talk about the EU and China becoming new superpowers, which seems to be a likely development, although I think they will be so ALONGSIDE rather than INSTEAD OF the United States.

But I've been wondering about Russia. Sure, it's in a bad situation now, but Russians have historically had a knack of getting back up and making the world notice them again ... and again. The problems they're having now could be equated to a second Time of Troubles? Is Muscovy destined to rise again ... or not?

And that is the question for the debate that I hope shall ensue.

I don't see Russia coming back for a long time.
Their position is too bad and they are not advancing like China is.

If Russia were allowing it's nation to progress properly, allowing genuine political opposition, more independent press, and not attempting to control much of the wealth which lies in its oil companies, it could have the potential to become a superpower.

Putin will go one of two ways I think:
a) he'll maintain the country as a relatively autocratic, poor, unstable nation, while increasing his stranglehold on the reigns of power until he has sufficient control of all levels of government (and no credible political opposition) to make bold statements on an international stage, and possibly using the treat of nukes to back up his words.
b) he'll lose control of the armed forces by not paying them and plummet the nation into anarchy.

But then, I might be very, VERY wrong. Judging by last year's presidential elections, I think Russia needs a more open press and more public political debate if it hopes to step out from the shadow of Communism.

If Russia were allowing it's nation to progress properly, allowing genuine political opposition, more independent press, and not attempting to control much of the wealth which lies in its oil companies, it could have the potential to become a superpower.

Putin will go one of two ways I think:
a) he'll maintain the country as a relatively autocratic, poor, unstable nation, while increasing his stranglehold on the reigns of power until he has sufficient control of all levels of government (and no credible political opposition) to make bold statements on an international stage, and possibly using the treat of nukes to back up his words.
b) he'll lose control of the armed forces by not paying them and plummet the nation into anarchy.

But then, I might be very, VERY wrong. Judging by last year's presidential elections, I think Russia needs a more open press and more public political debate if it hopes to step out from the shadow of Communism.

It's not just communism.
Russia's had a full history of oppression.
To be honest I think it would be doing best if Perestroika had managed to save the USSR.

But I've been wondering about Russia. Sure, it's in a bad situation now, but Russians have historically had a knack of getting back up and making the world notice them again ... and again. The problems they're having now could be equated to a second Time of Troubles? Is Muscovy destined to rise again ... or not?

And that is the question for the debate that I hope shall ensue.

Russia is just a damn attention whore. :D

But no, really. I always found Putin to be creepy... I wouldn't be shocked if he uses this an excuse to get more power.

Russia is just a damn attention whore. :D

But no, really. I always found Putin to be creepy... I wouldn't be shocked if he uses this an excuse to get more power.

It's alright.
Most people find vampires creepy.

I think the greatest tragedy for Russia was that the First World War destroyed its progress towards becoming a constitutional monarchy and a modern, industrialized nation. The tsars weren't the best of people, but they didn't slaughter millions of their people either.

As for Putin, I wouldn't be surprised. I can't say I'm optimistic about the future of Russian democracy. In fact, I honestly question if it's in Russia's best interests.

I think the greatest tragedy for Russia was that the First World War destroyed its progress towards becoming a constitutional monarchy and a modern, industrialized nation. The tsars weren't the best of people, but they didn't slaughter millions of their people either.
As for Putin, I wouldn't be surprised. I can't say I'm optimistic about the future of Russian democracy. In fact, I honestly question if it's in Russia's best interests.

Tsar Nicholas was an idiot who was too deceived by Rasputin and the Tsarina.

And they did oppress and kill many; look into the history of the contruction of St Petersburg.
A city built on bones.

It's not just communism.
Russia's had a full history of oppression.
To be honest I think it would be doing best if Perestroika had managed to save the USSR.
I agree, if perestroika had been successful, Russia,or the USSR as it would be, would be far better off and more like a left-leaning European state than it is now.

I agree it's not just communism, and that the Russian people have been oppressed for centuries, but the main economic problem with Russia was the almost immediate privatisation of large areas of natiional interest such as the oil industry in particular. If it weren't for the state-controlle economy of Communism, Russia'ss industry would be in a far healthier state, not to mention her people's political awareness and countless other factors of Russian life.

I agree, if perestroika had been successful, Russia,or the USSR as it would be, would be far better off and more like a left-leaning European state than it is now.

I agree it's not just communism, and that the Russian people have been oppressed for centuries, but the main economic problem with Russia was the almost immediate privatisation of large areas of natiional interest such as the oil industry in particular. If it weren't for the state-controlle economy of Communism, Russia'ss industry would be in a far healthier state, not to mention her people's political awareness and countless other factors of Russian life.

Although knowing from past experience there are a lot of Russians who don't exactly think forwards...