Supporting Russian Democracy

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how the end of the Cold War signified a new era in international politics, economics and diplomacy. The paper reveals, however, that Russian leaders have thwarted the installation of institutions and the promotion of values that typify a democratic society. The paper explains how the United States and the nations of Western Europe must play a key role in assisting the support of democratic institutions in Russia. The paper considers that direct investments may stimulate Russia's burgeoning economy, allow for the possibility of a consumer-driven push for democratic institutions and a create a new vehicle for the spread of ideas. The paper suggests that if Russia's President VladimirPutin continues to strangle the efforts of independent journalists, then small-scale efforts and slow, locally-led campaigns may be the primary means with which to alter the Russian political environment.

Outline:
Introduction
Direct Democratic Assistance Amid a Human Rights Crisis
Strangling the Press
Ideology
At a Fork in the Road

From the Paper:

"When President Ronald Reagan uttered the sound byte, "Mr. Gorbachev, Tear down this wall!" most Americans probably expected that the new Russia would follow humbly in the footsteps of the United States in adapting not only a free market economy but also a liberal democratic system of government. Immediately before and after Gorbachev's dismantling of the Soviet Union, Russia "made dramatic progress toward a democratic order-that is, toward real elections, protections for civil liberties, and a rule of law," (Bjorkman)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bjorkman, Tom. "Russian Democracy and American Foreign Policy." The Brookings Institution. Policy Brief 85, July 2001. Retrieved Aug 5, 2006 from http://www.brookings.edu/comm/policybriefs/pb85.htm
• Blagov, Sergei. "'Potemkin Democracy' Seen in Putin's Russia." CNSNews.com. July 17, 2006. Retrieved Aug 5, 2006 from http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewForeignBureaus.asp?Page=/ForeignBureaus/archive/200607/INT20060717d.html
• "'Democracy,' Russian-Style: A definition George Orwell might have liked." Washington Post. July 18, 2006. Retrieved Aug 5, 2006 from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/17/AR2006071701297.html
• Espo, David. "Cheney Assails Putin Policies." The Washington Times. May 5, 2006. Retrieved Aug 5, 2006 from http://washingtontimes.com/world/20060504-103728-5080r.htm
• Galaeva, Irina. "The Role of Media in Russian Transition Towards Democracy." Master's Thesis for Faculty of Law, University of Lund. Fall 2005. Retrieved Aug 5, 2005 from http://www.jur.lu.se/Internet/Biblioteket/Examensarbeten.nsf/0/623543130A3EB9E6C125714C00708223/$File/xsmall.pdf?OpenElement

More papers on Supporting Russian Democracy:

• Research Paper # 24503 : "U.S. Foreign Aid To Russia"
• Essay # 25368 : "Russian Democratic Crisis of the 20th Century"
• Analytical Essay # 140884 : "The Political Meaning of the Khodorkovsky Case"

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