"Russia’s President Medvedev has criticized officials for not executing his orders and warned them that they will be punished, and may even be dismissed." This is an indication of dysfunctional System. The problem is not with the bureaucrats, but with the System itself. The role of government and president, in particular, -- to regulate relationships between members of the society and not to give them orders. The government should unload all functions with exceptions of those, which absolutely belong to it. Otherwise, it paralyzes society. It makes Russians being passive and irresponsible. To avoid stagnation in the government itself, the officials should be put on fast rotation and positions in the structure should be taken based on the competition and not as a retirement plan gifts, where they do not feel being responsible before those who brought them there (presumably, those Russians who elected them to as representatives). I suggest as the first thing -- Russians should get familiar with the immortal work of Thomas Paine "Common Sense" and learn something from it. The early experience of Bolsheviks would help as well. Having small and well-performing government -- this a fight of all Russians and not only the President and small group of people who cares about this country.

I agree Bogdanov, to a degree. My opinion though, is that at some point along the line someone has to to implement the policy that underlines the 'management rules' that 'regulate relationships between members of society' this is the start point essentially, is it not? I agree with the liberal nature of the competition based incentive structure you talk about, but what about the start point? Someone has to begin to put in place these policies. As you can see. To me 'fast rotation' is what the President seems to be talking about here. I agree with the notion that at the grass roots level of society there should be existing the purest form of democracy, and then the more complex structure above, this would essentially ensure the competition that is much needed in these reforms, this would not ever mean that the local structure dislocates from the federal either, there would be essentially no risk to that as long as communication like which have been outlined in the form of an 'e-government' take hold. Also this has a large positive effect on different parts of local sociology.

I don’t believe that the leaders of Russia don’t realise that a “difficult” system is the best breeding environment for corruption? Of course with so light punishments for corrupt officials and low wages what would you expect? I have been trying to open a restaurant in Russia for 2 years and I have spent % 90 of the time doing the ridiculous paperwork to satisfy the officials. For example although I qualify to get a necessary permission, I have to pay the officials anyway. It is not about the law or regulations it is about their share!!! If you have all the necessary papers and qualifications to satisfy the regulations, they can still find something because the regulations are so awkward and many!!! Fine, so what is the problem in my case, why don’t they just take the money and give me the papers?? They say: “The coast is not clear now. Because of the fire disasters in Perm we are being watched and can not take the money now.”!! So I and 20 staff have to wait for the coast to clear for corrupt officials! So shameless!!! Who do you turn to?? Where do you complain? The police?? That takes a longer time!!! I think a small but effective government, with good wages and harsh punishments, is the solution. But will the government fire the unnecessary officials and increase the number of unemployed?? As it comes to rules and regulations, they should be as easy as in other countries. When something is hard to get, people choose the easy way. Why should people go to different authorities in Russia with stamps, seals and company blanks to produce documents on the spot if necessary??? I don’t think you see that in any other country in the world, only in Russia!!!!

"Having small and well-performing government -- this a fight of all Russians and not only the President and small group of people who cares about this country." Wow Bogdanov do you know how many countries wish they could honestly make that comment. I mean everyone tends to take what they have for granted and my own country is certainly not totally flawed but we have some really big problems as a ratio comparatively. RE Ormoz I totally and absolutely agree, and no one would know better than a small businessman , it has always been my opinion that small business is a national security issue and should be treated as such, with regard to the lack or promotion/incentive there of. it is the roots and foundation of the very existence of the society and as such has a very large lever on the opinions and objections of the people. in my country we have the cancer of monopoly, things look rosy as long as everyone goes along with the plan , but what about when the take and the take starts to encroach on the give and the give of the middle class and small business. do things still look so rosy? Russia absolutely does not have that problem (problems it has) and I believe the good policies of the leaders President and the team are trying to keep it that way. It’s not an easy fight, but it’s definitely my opinion that it is easier, much easier, to break a ‘bureaucratic corrupt’ ‘monopoly’ that is the shadow of a ‘government monopoly’ than an evolved monopoly with deep roots in the leadership structure of the actual nation. Of which I am 100% confident does not exist in Russia. the latter tends to take down the nation with it, and as such is 'to big to fail'. Russia can save the world.

RT should interview you Ormoz shed light upon these situations. don't hide anything, though openess of errors they can be fixed.