Machiavelli kinda wrote:the way man lives is so different from the way he ought, that modelling policy of what should be rather than what exists leads to the politicians downfall
hunk wrote:It depends on what you're willing to give up Cocko. Russia is a bit like China atm. Population's disposable income is on the rise and there's quite a bit of freedom within limits. As long as you don't upset Putin's government with inflammatory critique you should be fine. Press is mostly government regulated too, can't have fake news from opponents operating freely now can you?
The question is are you okay with a totalitarian government? Because that is the model the new right is oh so adoring right now.
hunk wrote:Nobody is denying what Putin has done for Russia. Noone is denying what the Communist Party has done for the PRC. But is trying to mimic their style of rule the best we can come up with in the west? Are you really willing to give up your freedom of speech Cocko? Greed is definitely the human trait motivating people, east and west.
mistercrayon wrote:How do you establish how much he is serving his citizens?
hunk wrote:Not demonizing Putin or Russia at all.
Just analysing stuff as to why Trump is mimicking Putin to a tee in so many regards.
The answer to that is: Putin has devised the ideal post cold war Right wing government. The system just works, all you have to do is give up your freedom of speech and free press. Rich people benefit the most of course hence those obscenely rich Russians (Party like a Russian?) but the little people won't be left behind. Mostly....
Just don't expect them to be able to climb up the oligarch ladder.
cockbeard wrote:mistercrayon wrote:How do you establish how much he is serving his citizens?
Because Russians nowadays holiday in places other than the Black Sea, the fact that the brain drain is nowhere near as pronounced as it was before the wall came down, and the fact that I don't see images of people queueing round the block for cabbages. Because during the eighties that was what we saw and heard about USSR
GooberTheHat wrote:Average monthly wages fell 9.5% in 2015 and 8% in 2016. Poverty levels have increased from a low of 10% in 2012 to 15% in 2016 so it would appear the little people are being left behind.
cockbeard wrote:How do you establish how much he is serving his citizens?
Because Russians nowadays holiday in places other than the Black Sea, the fact that the brain drain is nowhere near as pronounced as it was before the wall came down, and the fact that I don't see images of people queueing round the block for cabbages. Because during the eighties that was what we saw and heard about USSR
Yossarian wrote:
It means knowing that alt-right trolls will often talk about drinking milk because of their claim that African-Americans are genetically predisposed to lactose intolerance; they think, therefore, that by drinking milk publicly, or talking about milk, they will trigger anti-fascists.
hunk wrote:It's endearing how he thinks he can reach those poor confused kids by engaging with them online.
He's an attorney and professor, it's in his nature to engage with young people so I am not surprised. Engaging with the alt right is commendable but I suspect it's not for everyone, certainly not for the impatient. Good read tho and he seems like a decent chap. He actually did some research into the alt right as an internet sub culture, trying to understand their motives and beliefs. That's a good place to start when trying to reach out.Yossarian wrote:I don't think he's under the illusion that you can reach all of them, but surely it's possible to reach some of them. Even if it isn't, he does suggest other reasons for engaging.It's endearing how he thinks he can reach those poor confused kids by engaging with them online.
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