A Bit Of Clarification.

OK, some things begin to emerge after Putin's address. So, let's do forensic experiment (I reference Leo Tolstoy on this issue of power very often) or just ask a question--what is primarily Western and, I have to admit, most of Russian analytical community (with some obvious significant exceptions--I know those exceptions) which speak out on the issues of Russian politics and is largely the copy of a Western one, talk about? Yes, they speak out in Western politics the same way--they love political power, they admire it, they crave it, many want to fondle it and penetrate it. Some of them are ready to give blowjobs for that or spread legs or buns just to be near it and feel this power inside, literally. Some, evidently, wouldn't mind whoring own wives (husbands) out for this feeling. They love to discuss who and how will be moved into one or another position within some government, what this or the other new appointment will do and how he (she) will affect TV and other ratings by giving all those "analysts" more time and space to self admire and self appreciate. 

Most of those people who talk about power are strictly concentrated on trying to predict who and how will be appointed and how this or other event or action by people holding power will affect some Constitution, constitutional law or how the power will be dispensed, who will drive what car and fly what plane, who will be screwing who and in what upscale (or road-side) hotels. People just love to talk about power and feel themselves related to it, like, ahem, in the United States where everyone on TV and in press speaks about political power non-stop in desperate attempts to try to avoid any talk on substance of America's catastrophic de-industrialization, non-stop wars, decline of the living standard and social stratification among many other things, not least drug epidemic. This is NOT what Putin's Address was about yesterday. Well, certainly, not just about power and, in fact, primarily not about it. While Western media went into overdrive trying to figure out what all this means, they somehow missed completely what MOST of his address was dedicated to--changing Russia's social landscape by opening a floodgates of immense (we don't know a full scale) investments into the well-being of people of Russia. It was expected, the issue was not IF, but When. The most important phrase in opening statement of Putin was: the state (the government) will provide for Russian people socially. Overwhelming majority of Russians wouldn't have it any other way. Russians build their state, for millennium, the rest follows. You simply cannot survive any other way in Russia. They expect their state to not only defend them but help to prosper--I know, some libertarians who read this may get an aneurysm. No worry, Russians are very much for private property and prosperity. 

Many of you do not remember, but I recall it as it was yesterday: 20 years ago THE FIRST meeting of newly elected unknown young President of Russia Vladimir Putin was his meeting with...chief editors Valentin Chikin of Soviet Russia and Alexandr Prohanov of Zavtra--the most conservative and socialist papers of late 1990s. Then there was Putin's article about paternalism of Russian State and of Russian people. He was only beginning to learn then. Yesterday, he closed his circle of learning and he understood all he needed to, to turn Russia since 2008 around with unprecedented program of social revival. Did anyone hear what he was talking about when talking about young families? Did anyone hear numbers of social help to young mothers and their families. Mortgage fixed rate of 2% annually, with state effectively covering 50% of new apartments or houses. More than a million rubles of maternity capital for families with three kids, more free vacancies in higher education institutions, free meals for all kids in elementary schools. New significant monetary support across the board for teachers and doctors among many. What does it remind you of? Do I have to say it, or will you find a name for it? That was the main point of the address, the rest of it, including changes in political order are merely attributes for this, as I wrote six days ago:

So, I have a bit of disagreement with Mr. Feierstein--we are down to few years (less than decade) before the whole thing becomes irrelevant and, as much as I hate all those silly predictions, the amount of time left for US Dollar as premier global currency depends not even on successful completion of China's massive BRI project, with China's economy already dwarfing that of the US. No, this will depend on a progress of National Projects of Russia of which we will see first results by 2024. Why? Because of Russian culture and its ability to generate civilization models from which anyone can draw most attractive features. But here we are entering the issue of metaphysics, granted supported by Russia's massive "commodities", increasing manufacturing capacity and state-of-the-art military machine.    

That what all this is about. Putin took Russia 20 years ago, I am almost tempted to repeat Churchill's words about Stalin, on her knees and practically deceased as a nation, he literally revived her, brought her back from the dead, with Russian people trusting him all along. The time to give something back to them has come. By the way he spoke yesterday, by his posture, diction, emotions it was clear it was about Russian people first and foremost. I am not afraid to be accused of pathos--this is exactly what it was. The rest, the new power arrangements? Important, of course, but secondary to Russia finally getting (back) on her civilizational path as a truly social state which, no doubt, will be able to generate civilization model which will attract many, very many. As I say non-stop: Russia can exist only as a global superpower, and that implies social state, or she will not exist at all. Putin yesterday demonstrated openly that he knows that. The rest are details and things which can change.