IS PUTIN REALLY ALL THAT BAD?

By ILAYDA NIJHAR*

After my previous focus on the attitudes and characteristics of ordinary Russians, I find it only natural to continue and write about the one individual who, for most Russians, represents the true Russian identity. It is, undoubtedly, Vladimir Putin. Putin is not only seen here as the President of the people but more as a man who has transformed the lives of many millions of Russian people for the better, paved way for Russia to once again become a major player in the world arena and enabled the people to again establish a sense of national pride. It is only once we put aside all the stigma that is attached to the name ‘Putin’ that we can begin to attempt to understand what this particular individual has accomplished for his nation and what he envisages for the future of this propitious country. Nonetheless, before I delve into justifying why Putin is celebrated so highly here, it is important to highlight a few cultural aspects about Russia.

The country itself is the world’s largest (by landmass) covering 17% of the world’s inhabited land. Within the country there are nine different time zones and is home to an estimated 144 million people. As a result, it is seen as only appropriate that there be only one, single figure to govern such a populous nation. The people here know the consequences of having too many people sharing power and really do prefer that their trust and faith lies with only one individual. It is a view shared by the majority of Russians. Although many other countries choose to name this as a ‘dictatorship’ or a form of rule ‘by only one’, the citizens here are the ones who voted for such a system and do not complain as such. Irinna, a 57 year old shopkeeper, told me that ‘I am proud to have as Putin our leader. I feel that he really understands our needs and fights for our interests. He has made us feel proud once more’. Domestically, Russia faces various different forms of issues, just as any other country but on a much greater scale. Thus, it is essential that we first come to terms with the logic behind having one figurehead to represent this country.

Similarly, we cannot also put aside the historical fact which is that this vast country has always been governed by a single leader – albeit the Communists or the Tsars.

So why is it that people are still content with Putin’s leadership? Putin boasts apolitical career which began over 25 years ago, giving him plentiful time to build a public profile which appeals to his people. The fact that Putin himself was born into an ordinary family and maintained an average lifestyle appealed to many Russians because it enabled them to connect with him on a personal basis. Be that as it may, the image depicted by many Western countries of Putin does not draw parallel with what he has achieved. To name but a few of his achievements during his leadership would be raising the Russians living standards, transforming relations with neighbouring nations, ending the long lasting Chechnian war and most importantly bringing Russia back into the international arena as a major competitor.

Nevertheless, we must also recognise some of Putin’s not so successful areas such as the economic situation that Russia is currently facing and the slightly rapacious approach adopted towards the Ukraine crisis. A minority of people, especially the younger generation hold a different view towards Putin, with many disagreeing with the stance taken over Ukraine and the further distancing from Western countries. Ivan, a 23 year old student said that ‘I don’t believe everything that Putin does is for the good of the nation. I feel that he needs to try and establish a relationship with other European countries rather than always being confrontational’.

Putin is criticised on an unprecedented scale by many nations because his form of rule doesn’t draw parallels with what is seen as the ‘norm’ in these countries. But can we really be the ones to judge the way Russia is ruled when we can clearly see how much this system has given to the people and the extent to which it has provided stability to the society? Putin may not be perceived as the ‘ideal’ leader but he has most definitely accomplished more than the majority of leaders in the west and will continue to do for as long as he stays in power.

*Ilayda Nijhar is a Russian and Politics student studying at Queen Mary, University of London. She is currently in St.Petersburg advancing her language and gaining first-hand experience of Russian culture and life-style.