The distinguished academic and kremlinologist, Phil Hanson, noted recently the statist involution of the the Russian economy, particularly the dominant role of the state in the oil and gas industry, its rising share in defence industries, and not least its 38% share in banking.
Since last weekend this looks just like the United States. And, mutatis mutandis or ceteris paribus or whatever, it looks like New Labour's 'Britain' too.
So what is the United States' problem with Russia? It isn't communist, it isn't particularly statist on a global measure, its trend is to a more liberal form of capitalism than the trend in the United States and the United Kingdom.
What is politically incorrect? What is there not to like?
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Yes, but havent we always treated the Russians badly, and with suspicion?
The attempt to demonise Russia seems so inappropriate and cack-handed, L.
Why is European history and connexion so determinedly down graded into some kind of heroic myth of the free world defeating authoritarianism? The 20th century hardly covers any period at all in the hundreds of years of relations and trade between England and Russia; or the deep cultural and kinship ties that developed from the 1400s onwards.
have you ever read any Dmitry Orlov, HG ?
are you sitting down ? not for the faint-hearted
Faure at the ready, Dollies lined up, ND, I will now press Dmitry Orlov.
Certainly he pinpoints things that have already begun. Looking from a reasonably severe data and analysis familiarity with 'problems of the transition' (after the socialist collapse) I think he is underestimating what happened in Russia and in the Soviet satellite states and is too kind to those systems' capacities to cope. He underestimates too the non politico/economic aspects of Russian culture that were drawn on to survive - the Russian lives and experience I was mentioning to Lilith that no amount of particular ideological stance could erase, not even in 70 years and more. True of Poland as well, and I imagine other states less familiar. It is worth remembering too that the soviet and socialist model was not homogeneous or static either; it developed over time in response to external exigencies and observed inefficiencies extensively.
The frightening factor is his emphasis on the destructive effects of the collapse of the long-held, indigenous and local culture, the culture that the New Labour regime in the last 11 years has so denigrated and undermined in our country. This is an activity peculiar to New Labour - France or Italy, for example, have never turned upon their own societies with such venom.
Any one interested in dystopias should click on the link.
Please to describe layout of said Dollies, dear HG. Having just taken a peek at Mr. Orlov and his prognostications, I trust you and said Dollies are/were wearing your seat belts.
Going to hell in a bucket.
Faure, hmm
Bruckner for me
Prokofiev has his moments too, but I was sitting comfortably so it was Faure.
I read that Orlov presentation with interest (and in silence!).
He suggests a number of scenarios and possible outcomes, all of which - by design or default - opt for the Russian version as the most likely to succeed. However, I suspect that his unspoken implication that the in-built American "get up and go" will have got up and went, never to return, is some way wide of the mark.
He also makes no mention of what the rest of the world, particularly India and China, will be doing should such a collapse occur. Surely they will not just sit idly by twiddling their thumbs?
sitting comfortably
ah yes, with the Dollies
as regards Orlov's thesis, (two households, both alike), I can see how the Prokofiev comes in too ...
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