Putin's Political Legacy

Russian President Vladimir Putin has created a political system that is in many ways unique to Russian history as it combines some Soviet practices, achievements from the Gorbachev and Yeltsin period, and new features. Russia is much more open to foreign influence than it was during the Soviet period. Most Russian citizens are free to travel, and Russians have access to the Internet, which provides unfettered information, debate, and some ability to organize on line. With the end of official state planning for the economy and the occurrence of high oil and gas prices, Russian citizens are now better off economically than ever before. Consumer goods are widely available, giving the average person a sense of well being. In contrast to the upheavals of the 1990s, Putin has been able to create a feeling of stability in the political system that has made him enormously popular with his constituents. Yet, these accomplishments have been accompanied by a systematic assault on democracy and civil liberties. During his eight years in office, Putin has returned to some of the Soviet-style approaches to ruling Russia, particularly the centralization of power. In a new twist, however, he has carved out a strong autonomous role for the security services. While the system is apparently stable in the short term, it lacks the basis for long-term institutionalization.