Russia claims to be one of the leading world powers, actively promoting its values, views and other aspects of political life. This country is often accused of a lack of democracy, authoritarianism of the authorities, sometimes even the fact that all power is concentrated in the hands of the richest people, while the bulk of the population remains powerless. But is it really so? Are the same elections in Russia, considered the guarantor of democracy, a complete fiction, for which there is nothing? Let's try to delve into the history of the institution of the presidency and find out whether this is so.
Historical tour: the first rulers
As you know, the history of elections in Russia is relatively short. At first there was an autocracy, where the disenfranchised people, in no way, could influence political power in the country (of course, uprisings rose from time to time, but the iron hand of the monarchy very quickly suppressed the slightest discontent), then, closer to the twentieth century, the emperors nevertheless became listen to the voice of the people, finally realizing, not without the deplorable example of France itself, that if you wish, you can change any political system. The last of the Romanovs, Nikolai, for example, even went for frankly populist measures, fearing not only for his power, but also for the life of his family.
Unbreakable Union
Then came the power of the Bolsheviks. And again, the demos - ordinary citizens, comrades, as they now began to be called - remained out of work. At that time, the conduct of elections in Russia was limited to the local level - people could choose their headman in the village, but nothing more. The supreme power existed without their participation. The general secretaries were elected by senior officials. Soviet citizens were simply confronted with a fact. In principle, we can say that the election of the Secretary General of the CPSU Central Committee is the first election in Russia, undemocratic, though, but still.
Our hearts demand change
The system seemed unshakable until perestroika began in the early nineties. One after another, the USSR member countries declared their independence, so in 1990 Russia, still trying to preserve the remains of the crumbling empire, announced the establishment of the presidency, trying to embark on the path of reform. The first presidential election in Russia is held in June 1991, Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin takes a new post. It is with his name that the collapse of the USSR and the crisis of power in Russia are associated. But at the same time, one cannot but give it its due: by 1993 the institution of the presidency had been finalized, moreover, the rights of the head of state, approved by Yeltsin, are still valid today.
Closer to the present
But in 1999 the situation changed. Yeltsin decided to resign, leaving a huge country to the trusteeship of budding Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. Until the end of March 2000, Putin was only the acting president, but after the next election in Russia was held, he took office officially. Initially, the head of state’s tenure in power was five years, but by the decision of B. Yeltsin in 1993 he was reduced to four.
Almost today
With the inauguration of Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev in 2008, the term of office of the president was extended to six years, which, of course, played into the hands of his successor, Vladimir Putin, who returned to the presidency in 2012.
The next presidential election in Russia is scheduled for 2018 - really difficult for the country.While it is very early to make any forecasts, it remains only to wait for a new leader to appear in the political arena of the Russian Federation, conservative and stable, who can significantly change the state of things in the state.
Thoughts on power and state of affairs
There is much debate about how to evaluate the “rule” of Putin, the longest-running, so to speak, president. Someone claims that as much as Putin did, nobody did to raise the status of the country on the world stage, as well as to develop the economy, industry and other aspects of the state’s life. Others, especially in recent times, are constantly repeating about dictatorship and voluntarism, that Putin is in power - the main evil that does not allow the country to fully realize its potential. How many people, so many opinions. The country's problem is that here, as, in principle, in any state, it is very difficult to form a correct opinion about what is happening in politics.
The media broadcast the version of events that is beneficial to the top authorities, the opposition information resources are always against the official version. And what is really going on is known only by those who themselves participate in this, but by no means ordinary ordinary citizens. But after all, they, according to the ideas of democracy, so zealously preached by the government, should influence the state of things. The same events in the case when they are beneficial to the authorities are evaluated positively, and in the case when they run counter to the "general line", they are harshly criticized. So are elections in Russia really a fiction? And in fact, even within the framework of a democratic system, people decide nothing? Or is it a vain accusation? On this issue, everyone chooses a position for himself.
And what is the moral?
The problem of elections in Russia is their closed nature, lack of transparency, which, incidentally, is typical for such events in America. Almost immediately, a favorite stands out who is moving most actively. And it seems that the other presidential candidates are just extras, which serves to emphasize the exclusivity of the "right" candidate. But this same multivariance can be explained by the fact that everyone has the right to propose a candidate, and the people have the choice. Now many say they refuse to vote. Tired people simply do not believe that their opinion can change anything. So what's the point of going to the polls and wasting your time? But at the same time, how do we embark on a new path of development, if we do not even try? How can one demand change without doing anything for them and showing nothing of his desire? So maybe the problem is not in the elections and not in power, but in ourselves?
Who knows. Everyone chooses for himself.
