Skip to main content
  • Sections
  • Search

Center for Strategic & International Studies

User menu

  • Subscribe
  • Sign In

Topics

  • Cybersecurity and Technology
    • Cybersecurity
    • Intelligence, Surveillance, and Privacy
    • Military Technology
    • Space
    • Technology and Innovation
  • Defense and Security
    • Counterterrorism and Homeland Security
    • Defense Budget
    • Defense Industry, Acquisition, and Innovation
    • Defense Strategy and Capabilities
    • Geopolitics and International Security
    • Long-Term Futures
    • Missile Defense
    • Space
    • Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation
  • Economics
    • Asian Economics
    • Global Economic Governance
    • Trade and International Business
  • Energy and Sustainability
    • Climate Change and Environmental Impacts
    • Energy and Geopolitics
    • Innovation and New Energy Sources
    • Markets, Trends, and Outlooks
  • Global Health
    • Family Planning, Maternal and Child Health, and Immunizations
    • Multilateral Institutions
    • Health and Security
    • Infectious Disease
  • Human Rights
    • Civil Society
    • Transitional Justice
    • Human Security
  • International Development
    • Food and Agriculture
    • Governance and Rule of Law
    • Humanitarian Assistance
    • Private Sector Development
    • U.S. Development Policy

Regions

  • Africa
    • North Africa
    • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Americas
    • Caribbean
    • North America
    • South America
  • Arctic
  • Asia
    • Afghanistan
    • Australia, New Zealand & Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • Korea
    • Pakistan
    • Southeast Asia
  • Europe
    • European Union
    • NATO
    • Post-Soviet Europe
    • Turkey
  • Middle East
    • The Gulf
    • Egypt and the Levant
    • North Africa
  • Russia and Eurasia
    • The South Caucasus
    • Central Asia
    • Post-Soviet Europe
    • Russia

Sections menu

  • Programs
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Analysis
    • Blogs
    • Books
    • Commentary
    • Congressional Testimony
    • Critical Questions
    • Interactive Reports
    • Journals
    • Newsletter
    • Reports
    • Transcript
  • Podcasts
  • iDeas Lab
  • Transcripts
  • Web Projects

Main menu

  • About Us
  • Support CSIS
    • Securing Our Future
CSIS PRESENTS
Past Event
Share
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Printfriendly.com

Russian Politics: A Chance for Change?

Wednesday, June 30, 2010 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Center for Strategic and International Studies1800 K Street, NWWashington DC, 20006

On Wednesday, June 30, 2010 CSIS Russia and Eurasia Program hosted Vladimir Milov, leader of the “Democratic Choice” Movement in Russia to discuss the sources, processes, and the prospects of change for Russia in his presentation, “Russian Politics: A Chance for Change.” Andrew Kuchins, Director and Senior Fellow of the Russia and Eurasia Program, moderated the event.

Milov outlined the current political situation in Russia and emphasized the widespread recognition, even among the elite, that Russian politics have reached the end of an era. The consolidation of power in the past ten years under Putin has resulted in the decline of political freedoms without solving any of the country’s major problems and positioning the country for greater stagnation. Milov offered two possible sources of change: the authorities can take the lead and drive change from the top, or Russian civil society may step forward and the public can demand change from below. Milov, however, argued that change is unlikely to come from above.

Medvedev has promised to tackle problems such as corruption and the lack of an independent judiciary, but these problems have actually worsened during his time as president. Thus, Milov questioned the sincerity of Medvedev’s attempts at reforming the current political system, as well as his power to act independently of Putin. Those in influential posts are invested in maintaining a power structure that sustains their own position and consequently strengthens the authority of Putin. Although this is ineffective system to drive reform, it is self-sustaining and will lead Russia to more stagnation if left unchecked.

Russia’s civil society was highlighted as a more viable alternative for change. Milov argued that the “social contract” between Putin and the Russian people to exchange political and civil freedoms for economic stability has been breached, and unrest will begin to undermine the system. There is already very little support for United Russia as a party, with the system’s legitimacy reliant on the popularity of individual leaders. “Putin fatigue” is rising in Russia and exposes the vulnerability of the United Russia party.

The approach the opposition should take, Milov contended, should be to take practical measures such as supporting regional election campaigns, reaching out to grassroots organizations, and distributing publications that expose corrupt leaders and practices. The capability of the West to intervene in these areas is limited and Milov stressed that legitimate reform must come from within. The need for political change and the possibility that it can be driven from below is necessary and possible, but change of this scope will not come overnight.

CSIS Experts
Andrew C. Kuchins
Senior Associate (Non-resident), Russia and Eurasia Program
Contact
Contact Travis L. Mills
Tel: (202) 775-3224
Media Queries
Contact H. Andrew Schwartz
Chief Communications Officer
Tel: 202.775.3242

Contact Emma Colbran
Communications and Program Manager
Tel: 202.775.3211
Related
Energy and Geopolitics, Energy and Sustainability, Russia, Russia and Eurasia, Russia and Eurasia Program, Russian Domestic Politics and Economics

Related Content

On Demand Event
The Code of Putinism: Book Launch Event
August 1, 2018
Transcript
The Arctic of the Future: Strategic Pursuit or Great Power Miscalculation?: Panel II
May 15, 2018
Commentary
Protests in Moscow: What’s Different This Time?
By Cyrus Newlin, Jeffrey Mankoff
August 22, 2019
Report
Cognitive Effect and State Conflict in Cyberspace
By James Andrew Lewis
September 26, 2018
On Demand Event
Six More Years of Putin?
March 14, 2018
Report
Russia's New Nuclear Weapons: Whoever Dies with the Most Toys Wins?
By Anthony H. Cordesman
March 8, 2018
Commentary
Russian Theater: How to Respond to Moscow’s Return to the African Stage
By Judd Devermont
October 22, 2019
Transcript
U.S. Policy Toward Russia: A View From Congress
November 21, 2019
Footer menu
  • Topics
  • Regions
  • Programs
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Analysis
  • Web Projects
  • Podcasts
  • iDeas Lab
  • Transcripts
  • About Us
  • Support Us
Contact CSIS
Email CSIS
Tel: 202.887.0200
Fax: 202.775.3199
Visit CSIS Headquarters
1616 Rhode Island Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Media Queries
Contact H. Andrew Schwartz
Chief Communications Officer
Tel: 202.775.3242

Contact Emma Colbran
Communications and Program Manager
Tel: 202.775.3211

Daily Updates

Sign up to receive The Evening, a daily brief on the news, events, and people shaping the world of international affairs.

Subscribe to More CSIS Newsletters

Newsletter Subscription
Follow CSIS
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

All content © 2019. All rights reserved.

Legal menu
  • Credits
  • Privacy Policy
  • Reprint Permissions