OPINION: By choosing capitalism over democracy as the foundation for the post-Cold War world, the West jeopardized stability, prosperity, and, as we now see again in Ukraine, peace and democracy—and not only in Eastern Europe.
NEW YORK —As Russian tanks battle through Ukraine on the orders of an authoritarian president, it is worth noting that Ukrainians are not the only ones who crave democracy. Russians, too, have taken to the streets—at great personal risk—to protest Vladimir Putin’s outrageous act of aggression. But they are fighting an uphill battle in a country that has never been given a chance to become democratic.
Yeltsin disaster Only by moving fast—cutting the dog’s tail with one blow of the ax—would Russia be put on a path to economic prosperity and the Communists be kept out of power for good. With radical market reforms, the Russian people would see tangible returns and become enamored with democracy automatically.
Moreover, the shock therapy unleashed such severe and sudden social and economic disruptions that it turned the public against the reforms and the reformers. The Supreme Soviet refused to extend Yeltsin’s extraordinary powers, and what happened next would set the stage for the rise of authoritarian presidentialism in Russia.
“ Democratizing Russia may always have been a long shot, given the country’s history of centralized power. But it would have been worth a try. ”
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
West unleashes SWIFT bans, more crushing penalties on RussiaWASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and European nations agreed Saturday to impose the most potentially crippling financial penalties yet on Russia over its unrelenting invasion of Ukraine, g…
Read more »
West unleashes SWIFT bans, more crushing penalties on RussiaUkrainians rushed to the borders Saturday as invading Russian troops pressed on with their march toward Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv. At least 150,000 people have fled Ukraine into Poland and other neighboring countries in the wake of the Russian invasion.
Read more »
Investors brace for volatility as West moves to cut Russia off from SWIFTInvestors were preparing on Saturday for more wild gyrations in asset prices after Western nations announced a harsh set of sanctions to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, including blocking some banks from the SWIFT international payments system.
Read more »
West unleashes SWIFT bans, more crushing penalties on RussiaWASHINGTON — The United States and European nations agreed Saturday to impose the most potentially crippling financial penalties yet on Russia over its...
Read more »
Ruble dives, stocks sink as West tightens Russia sanctionsThe ruble plunged to a record low of less than 1 U.S. cent and most global stock markets declined Monday after Western nations moved to block some Russian banks from a global payments system. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has caused markets to swing wildly, given the potential impact on inflation, energy supplies and other economic repercussions. Putin's order that Russian nuclear weapons stand at increased readiness to launch ratcheted up tensions with Europe and the United States and revived dormant fears from the Cold War era.
Read more »