Yes to evolution, no to revolution
Published: 20 October, 2009, 21:23
Edited: 22 October, 2009, 20:10
Dmitry Medvedev on Red Square in Moscow (AFP Photo / Pool / Natalia Kolesnikova)
TAGS: Medvedev, Russia, Politics, Economy
The best way to modernize Russia is to use a nonviolent, evolution-like approach, with social consciousness being the first thing to evolve. That is according to the Kremlin's chief strategist, Vladislav Surkov.
Consistent evolutionary development of the country and its economy, he said, was the major principle proposed recently by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
The influential politician offered his comments on Medvedev’s recent article “Go Russia!” while addressing the country’s Public Chamber on Tuesday.
“Modernization was the main task that seemed to be the most important subject there. And the crucial point is the evolutionary approach in the achievement of this goal,” Interfax quoted Surkov as saying.
The Kremlin strategist particularly stressed that the president is making a courageous step by calling upon everyone “not to fall into populism.”
“Abandoning the idea of rapid, burst-like development is paramount. Nonviolent modernization is the key goal in all this philosophy: whether we are ready to move to the new social paradigm without employing violent methods or not,” Surkov stressed.
Apart from that, he noted that every person should concentrate on modernizing his or her own personality, rather than awaiting constant assistance from the state.
Another issue he mentioned pertained to freedom of criticizing the government. Surkov explained that criticism would have to be problem-oriented, rather than be purely directed against those in power.
“I am not against [the criticism], you are welcome. The Kremlin is alright to attack – that’s what it is for. But, we have many of those who are in the opposition to power and no one who opposes a problem,” Surkov concluded.
20.10.2009, 20:32
4 comments
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"...criticism would have to be problem-oriented, rather than be purely directed against those in power." That is crazy idea. How they are going to implement it? By distributing memos which explain what criticism is problem-oriented and which is not?! Or somebody else (like NKVD in the earlier Soviet time) would be put in charge to categorize the critics and act accordingly? And, by the way, who would determined those criteria? And why would Surkov assume that those who determine that would be free from any flaws and do everything fairly and right? This is human nature -- people may criticize someone (especially, those who are in charge) for problems they have in their lives. Or do crazy things, for that matter. And that may be fair or unfair criticism. Next day the same person may look at life in different way and decide that he was wrong yesterday. But, with this system in place, he would be already either in prison or at the heavens gates. With this idea, which clearly, has a lack of thoughts behind, it is guaranteed that the country will end up with dictatorship. In fact, in many cases, going after those who in power may reveal the problems they or the government have. And fix those problems while it is not too late...
@Bogdanov I understood Surkov as pledging for usage of common sense before going to government. Why to project the outcome?