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Professors and students who come to Russia quickly discover that there is a great difference in our social and political cultures. The definitions below give a few hints...

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Vol 2 no 79 (117) Political lexicon May 20, 2004

Commentary: Russia's political lexicon

By Peter Lavelle Published on May 19, 2004

MOSCOW, May 20 (UPI) -- Among Western pundits and Russia watchers, Russia receives very poor marks in the areas of liberal democracy, civil society and freedom of expression. The political regime that Vladimir Putin has installed over the past four years is something, according to two Western academics, "between dictatorship and democracy."

For most, this description is too generous -- "growing authoritarianism" appears to be the most popular appellation. However, most Russians do not feel this way. In fact, most Russians easily understand the words of the West's political lexicon -- the meanings are just different.

The following is an abridged thumbnail sketch of Russia's usage of Western political terms. Russian definitions will, of course, surprise and disappoint many. However, the sooner it is seen that political terms can be understood differently, the sooner Russia's current political trajectory can be put in to perspective -- instead of being unreflectively judged and dismissed.

Authoritarianism : A recent commitment on the part of the authorities to establish "law and order," with "order" considered more important than law. Strong authoritarian rule is welcomed over what many called "market democracy" of the 1990s.

Bolshevism : A group of political radicals that destroyed the Tsarist Empire and accompanying political economic backwardness. The originator of Bolshevism, Vladimir Lenin, today is considered a positive historical figure in the country's history.

Censorship : The right and responsibly of the authorities to determine the quality and condition of the public sphere. Censorship has a large following, hoping to see the end of paid-for political articles in the media, ending the transmission of pornographic images during primetime television board casts, and protecting what are believed to be national values.

Capitalism : An economic system that benefits a very small minority. While not necessarily a pejorative term, it does connote extreme social and economic inequality, as well as indifference to the common good.

Civil society : This term is interpreted quite literally -- the demand that social existence should be lived without fear and violence. The state should do everything necessary to ensure that bandits, drug addicts and other social misfits do not violate the "civility" of ordinary people.

Cold War : The conflict that the Soviet Union did not lose, but the United States claims to have won. Many Russians consider this conflict, with Russia as the legal and historic successor of the Soviet Union, as a source of pride -- international prestige (even if it was actually feared), technical advancement and economic prosperity at home.

Communism : The economic and social system that modernized Russia and made the Soviet Union a superpower. A significant majority of Russians fondly remember this system, which conjure up feelings of greater equality, upward mobility, housing, education and medical care -- all largely absent in Russia since 1991.

Common good : A commitment by those in authority to ensure that no one is left behind. Russia's enormous natural wealth and human potential should benefit all in some fashion.

Democracy : A political idea that created chaos for a decade after the collapse of the Soviet Union and used to legitimize the material gains of the few.

Demagogue : See liberal.

Election : Until recently, this was a ritual to legitimize those who could pay to have their opinion heard. The media-directed control of elections during most of the decade after the Soviet collapse benefited moneyed elite at the expense of popular public opinion. The 2003 parliamentary elections and the 2004 presidential poll have witnessed an aim to holding elections slightly rehabilitated.

Freedom of expression : Russians speak their mind all the time. Until recently, it was easy to express one's opinion in the electronic media on anything under the sun if one was willing to pay for it. As odd as it may sound, many Russians would like to freely hear good expressions about their country. In Russia, it is not hard to hear what is wrong here. However, there is a thirst to hear something good about it.

Legislature : The branch of government that should with great haste pass into law the Kremlin's demands. Russia lost almost a decade of "talking shop" under Yeltsin. Russia needs energy reform, pension reform, education reform, medical reform and more.

Liberal : The latest incarnation of "engineers of the soul." They are politicians more interested in celebrity and defending the economic chaos of the 1990s. Displeased with the political consciousness of the average Russian, liberals demand their fellow nationals think like their Western counterparts. Russia and Russians embarrass liberals.

Liberalism : The political value system that seeks to transform Russia into a non-existing textbook version of some Western society. It would make the current understanding of property rights sacrosanct, allowing less than 100 individuals to own and control almost a quarter of the economy. The rejection of this political agenda created Putin.

Middle class : A group in society defined by its spending power. This group overwhelming voted for Putin and Kremlin-backed parties. Russia's middle class is an economic creation; it has little to do with social or political aspiration.

Oligarchy : What "Forbes Russia" calls Russia's 100 wealthiest individuals, is society's "100 Most Wanted."

Ownership of land: This should be very restricted and controlled. Unfettered right to purchase land would not only result in the oligarchs and foreigners controlling the economy, but end in complete title over sovereign Russia.

Political party : Beyond Kremlin-backed parties, groups interested in promoting their own interests.

Politician : A not so-surprising Western overlap -- those who are paid to promote other's material interests.

Property : It still has not been decided who stole what, when. This idea will be resolved once the economic crimes of the 1990s have been resolved.

Stalin (and the Western term "Stalinism"): Nothing could have rehabilitated Stalin more than Russia's 1990s. The hard, cruel, predictable and uncompromising Stalin was sorely missed for anyone who identified with the Soviet status quo when everything changed after 1991. Suddenly, violence, banditry and those "without culture" commanded everything.

State : Without a strong and respected state, Russia will collapse -- like it almost did during the 1990s.

This shortlist of Russia's political lexicon is a reflection of its present political culture -- and the solid foundation of Putin's very popular rule. There is clearly room to disagree with how these terms are understood. However, if the West desires to win the hearts and minds of Russians concerning its own political lexicon to create a liberal democracy in its own vision, it should consider how the same lexicon gives every reason for Russians to resist and reinterpret the same lexicon.

Important Disclaimer : What is found above are personal views on Russia and Russia-related issues and do not reflect any opinions other than of the writer(s) associated with this private endeavor. Untimely Thoughts is under copyright. Re-print requests need to be addressed to the author.