[Diocletian]

I wouldn't equate stronger government with tyranny necessarily since Russia's history is one of authoritarianism and its short experiments with liberalism have been disastrous: Kerensky's anarchic regime giving way to Bolshevism and Yeltsin's regime allowing for the rape of Russian resources and plunge in economic well-being, plus defeat at the hands of Chechen rebels.

What works for the USA might not work for Russia.

[freeforall]

Freedom is universal. East and west Berlin, North and South Korea are prime examples of the difference. The truth is Russia has never had any protection of the individual as the Anglo world has. In theory and practice.