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A Russian anti-Putin journalist explains why there is no corruption in Russia
washingtonpost.com ^ | January 28 at 2:33 PM | Adam Taylor

Posted on 01/29/2016 8:22:23 AM PST by Trumpinator

A Russian journalist explains why there is no corruption in Russia

By Adam Taylor January 28 at 2:33 PM

What could possibly explain this disagreement about corruption? One potential explanation has been put forward by Russian journalist Anton Orekh, who, writing for the Yezhednevny Zhurnal, explained that Russians don't really have a word for corruption. While the Treasury may well have found what looks like corruption "from an American-European point of view," Orekh explains, Russians simply don't see it that way.

If that sounds like a remarkable argument, it's worth noting that Orekh is known as a progressive journalist and the Yezhednevy Zhurnal is an independent publication that Moscow has tried to ban in the past. Orekh isn't justifying or excusing corruption; he's making an observation about Russian attitudes. More of Orekh's article is below, as summarized by the longtime Russia-watcher Paul Goble on his blog:

For Russians, what was shown is “not corruption” but rather a manifestation of friendship and a kindly responsiveness to the needs of those around him. “Corruption is some kind of imported word,” Orekh says; and that may be why Russians can’t really fight against it because they do not understand this phenomenon the way the West does.

“In the West,” Orekh continues, “money gives power, but among [Russians] it is just the reverse: power gives money and also takes money away as well.”

Putin doesn’t need billions in cash or stocks, “if he owns the entire country!” the commentator continues. “The extent of his wealth is in fact equal to the size of the budget of the country, or even more to the size of all its national wealth. At any moment, he can get absolutely everything he needs and practically in any quantity.”

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Russia
KEYWORDS: russia
It is an interesting insight. Russians are the offshoots of Vikings. The Viking social structure had its origins with the warlords, called drott or druhtinaz. The drott was primarily a social institution, resulting of a pattern of behavior in which warriors selected the most adept leader and pledged fealty to him. The drott was an ascribed title of respect, not an inherited one; and these roles were separate from the regional chieftains or petty kings.

This is right out of Beowulf.

It is not even a case of him asking for a bribe - he does not need to.

Also, in Russia it seems power is wealth while in the west, wealth is power.

I don't think Putin has one dime in the bank the say the last Haitian dictator had stolen money - he just asks and whatever he needs is provided by his thralls.

If anyone recalls, under the USSR, Stalin was called "the Boss" which is almost kind of reverting to their drott origins of society.

To my thinking anyway.

It may be that to an ordinary Russian when they hear Western reports that Putin controls all this wealth they may shrug and say - of course - what's the problem - he is the leader.

1 posted on 01/29/2016 8:22:23 AM PST by Trumpinator
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To: Trumpinator

There is no corruption in Russia like there are no homosexuals in Iran


2 posted on 01/29/2016 8:30:45 AM PST by Sasparilla
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To: Trumpinator

Russia is not pro-free enterprise, therefore it cannot be corrupt. Very much the same as 0bama, or any member of the Democrat or Socialist Party.


3 posted on 01/29/2016 8:35:05 AM PST by YHAOS
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To: YHAOS

It is called obedience.
You do not comply, you get pneumonia or firing squad.
If there is the hope of squeezing something out of you, then mercy - Gulag.
Apparatchiks are rewarded by special privileges that working class can only dream about.
Seeeee? No corruption.


4 posted on 01/29/2016 8:48:58 AM PST by Leo Carpathian (FReeeeepeesssssed)
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To: Trumpinator

There is no murder in paradise, and apparently no corruption either.


5 posted on 01/29/2016 8:52:07 AM PST by donozark (There is no murder in paradise.)
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To: Trumpinator; AdmSmith

“I don’t think Putin has one dime in the bank “

L O L

Just because he can ask for anything he wants & get it, doesn’t mean he doesn’t have billions in the bank (or elsewhere)


6 posted on 01/29/2016 8:53:08 AM PST by nuconvert ( Khomeini promised change too // Hail, Chairman O)
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To: Sasparilla

Lol. Exactly


7 posted on 01/29/2016 8:53:49 AM PST by nuconvert ( Khomeini promised change too // Hail, Chairman O)
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To: Trumpinator
Russia is tied for 119th place on the Corruption Perceptions Index with Azerbaijan, Guyana, and Sierra Leone. This is lower than Pakistan. The US is #18.

It is not even a case of him asking for a bribe - he does not need to.

William Browder, a hedge fund manager who has worked extensively in Russia, has claimed that Putin allows the remaining oligarchs to continue without being arrested in exchange for a high percentage of their profits, perhaps 50%.

8 posted on 01/29/2016 8:54:56 AM PST by wideminded
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To: nuconvert; AdmSmith

What I was trying to point out based on the article - is unlike the stereotypical dictator with money in Swiss bank accounts - Putin has no need of that - he can get money from wherever at will. It’s a nuanced understanding of the matter.


9 posted on 01/29/2016 8:56:23 AM PST by Trumpinator ("Are you Batman?" the boy asked. "I am Batman," Trump said.)
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To: Leo Carpathian
It is called obedience.

A broader read on the same dynamic.

10 posted on 01/29/2016 8:58:22 AM PST by YHAOS
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To: Sasparilla
There is no corruption in Russia like there are no homosexuals in Iran

------------

It's a nuanced approach - but think of it this way - the Aztecs did not think human sacrifice was murder the way the Spanish did. When the Spanish told the Aztecs it was wrong the concept was incomprehensible to the Aztecs that the human sacrifice was wrong.

11 posted on 01/29/2016 8:58:25 AM PST by Trumpinator ("Are you Batman?" the boy asked. "I am Batman," Trump said.)
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To: wideminded
William Browder, a hedge fund manager who has worked extensively in Russia, has claimed that Putin allows the remaining oligarchs to continue without being arrested in exchange for a high percentage of their profits, perhaps 50%.

---------

From a western perspective that seems like corruption. From a Russian historical cultural aspect that is normal and how things should be done.

Kind of reminds me that old story of the Russians coordinating with the Austrians to fight Napoleon but the Russians arrived 13 days latter because they used a different calendar system.

12 posted on 01/29/2016 9:01:17 AM PST by Trumpinator ("Are you Batman?" the boy asked. "I am Batman," Trump said.)
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To: Trumpinator
From a western perspective that seems like corruption.

It is corruption. It's probably the biggest bribe that ever occurred in history.

From a Russian historical cultural aspect that is normal and how things should be done.

Translation: Russia is a hopelessly corrupt country.

13 posted on 01/29/2016 10:23:14 AM PST by wideminded
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To: wideminded
Translation: Russia is a hopelessly corrupt country.

-----

Per western standards yes but it is an interesting contrast nonetheless.

14 posted on 01/29/2016 10:49:30 AM PST by Trumpinator ("Are you Batman?" the boy asked. "I am Batman," Trump said.)
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To: Trumpinator; nuconvert
Russian journalist Anton Orekh, who, writing for the Yezhednevny Zhurnal, explained that Russians don't really have a word for corruption.

Perhaps he is not fluent in Russian ?

try this

https://twitter.com/search?q=%D0%BA%D0%BE%D1%80%D1%80%D1%83%D0%BF%D1%86%D0%B8%D1%8F

15 posted on 01/31/2016 9:30:10 AM PST by AdmSmith (GCTGATATGTCTATGATTACTCAT)
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To: AdmSmith; nuconvert

What a waste - the article went into nuances and that flies over some peoples heads.


16 posted on 02/01/2016 6:24:10 AM PST by Trumpinator ("Are you Batman?" the boy asked. "I am Batman," Trump said.)
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To: Trumpinator

lol - apparently yours


17 posted on 02/01/2016 7:01:56 AM PST by nuconvert ( Khomeini promised change too // Hail, Chairman O)
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To: Trumpinator

There is every corruption in Russia.
There is equal corruption in the USA.
Mullahs’ Iran is modelled on and supported by the USA.
No nuances, those you replied to here are simply corrupt too.


18 posted on 02/05/2016 6:30:16 AM PST by odds
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