Russia: Experiment with a People

An account of post-Soviet Russia, from an author who has obviously delved deep into the history and culture of the region. I must confess I was a bit taken aback at the start at the author's style, which consists of a series of ultra-short, staccato statements that seemed like he was speaking down to what he may have imagined a somewhat dim-witted audience. However, the style warms up further on, the sentences become more well-rounded and adult in tone, and the author really gets into his stride. The book presents information from the inside on almost all aspects, especially the deep rooted corruption and self-serving cynicism of the oligarchs and ruling groups, and the stoic resignation of the masses.

My own reaction after reading to show more the end, is a silent thanks to our leaders in newly independent India, for having chosen a middle path between dictatorial communism on the one hand, and unbridled capitalism and privatization on the other. The Indians chose to trundle along with an in-between model with both public and private sector enterprises, and did not immediately abandon the responsibilities of the State as regards education, health, and civic services, whatever the quality. India also has been able to achieve a balance between provincial (State) interests and the central government interests, including accommodation of provincial or regional ethnic and language interests, without losing the people's commitment to the idea of India as one whole. This has apparently been a problem for Russia throughout its 1000-odd year history, and one would think that they could explore with benefits the Indian model of a multi-cultural federal state with a strong center. show less

10 cent score!