[OESY]

Developmental economics allows that a strong leader may be necessary to compel changes in business and cultural customs to advance national interests. The mark of a statesman who would be revered by his people for centuries is whether his/her reforms strengthen democratic impulses, the rule of law and property rights in a manner that will attract investment capital that might flow elsewhere. Vladimir Putin appears to understand this. Time will tell.

[OldPossum]

Your post seems to be stating that you think Putin understands how democracy and capitalism works. His actions suggest otherwise. It seems to me that the man has no concept of the rule of law and property rights. He is soon going to find out about how investment capital flows.

[GingisK]

Clearly, Russia hasn't changed as much as I had thought.

There were, undoubtedly, folks who muttered that the "New Russia" was just as dangerous as the old. These are the same folks who observe that there isn't much to the "Islam is Peace" incantenation.

I think wishful thinking tends to override assesment of reality.

In other words, when are people of the left going to realize that there really are those who are out to "get" us; and, that there are some of us who already know what is going on?

[Lazamataz]

With his treatment of Mr. Khodorkovsky, Mr. Putin again warned the oligarchs: I don't care how advanced and modern you are -- don't disobey my order.

This, of course, sounds a lot like the old days, when property rights didn't exist and the law was whatever the Communist Party chieftains decreed. Russia acquired capitalism but did so in a very messy way, and its version of capitalism remains very messy today. Departing from the free and easy ways of the Yeltsin administration, Mr. Putin has packed his government with his former colleagues in the KGB, now the FSB. Known as the siloviki (meaning "strong ones") they are reasserting the power of the state.

Not good.

RussianConservative, I leave it to you to personally oppose and bring down Mr. Putin. It is in your hands to take the country over and run it as you see fit. I, of course, will aid you by providing any American military hardware you may require.

[RusIvan]

What resulted was a class of wealthy Russian "oligarchs." Mr. Khodorkovsky was one of the best and brightest. ===

Best and brightest to rob state property right. Now he has to pay for that.
Except the bother oligarkhs and liberal press no one in Russia gives a damn about him.

Those press who attacking Putin attacks Bush. Same libaral there and here.

[RussianConservative]

Ahh Wall Street Urinal, mouth piece of Borozovsky's monies, overflow again.