Michail Ryklin on the Putin system

In the quarterly intellectual magazine Magyar Lettre Internationale Russian writer and philosopher Michail Ryklin reflects on the Putin system and its weaknesses: "The system established by Putin is not stable. … The profits from its exports [of raw materials] were high enough for Russia to pay its public debt and see the number of its billionaires double every two to three years … and moderately increase the level of prosperity of most of its citizens. This was the reason for Putin's popularity. Under the new conditions this system will no longer function. … During Putin's second term in office a repressive depoliticisation of society took place. With each step towards depoliticisation and the extermination of the weak plant of democracy prosperity grew (for some a little, for others more and for others still exorbitantly). A paternalistic social model bearing the label 'power vertical' was created: state power took care of its passive and immature subjects and in return demanded unconditional trust and subjugation . … In this context I believe that nationalist forces will consolidate and extend their political influence."

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