Create an Account
username: password:
 
  MemeStreams Logo

Economic downturn may threaten Putin's power - International Herald Tribune

search

ubernoir
Picture of ubernoir
My Blog
My Profile
My Audience
My Sources
Send Me a Message

sponsored links

ubernoir's topics
Arts
  Literature
   Fiction
   Sci-Fi/Fantasy Literature
Business
Games
Health and Wellness
Home and Garden
Miscellaneous
Current Events
Recreation
Local Information
  Events in Washington D.C.
Science
  Astronomy
  Space
Society
  International Relations
  History
Sports
  Football
Technology
  Computers

support us

Get MemeStreams Stuff!


 
Economic downturn may threaten Putin's power - International Herald Tribune
Topic: Current Events 8:00 am EST, Feb  1, 2009

Over the last eight years, as Vladimir Putin has amassed ever more power, Russians have often responded with a collective shrug, as if to say: Go ahead, control everything — as long as we can have our new cars and amply stocked supermarkets, our sturdy ruble and cheap vacations in the Turkish sun.

But now the worldwide financial crisis is abruptly ending an oil-driven economic boom here, and the unspoken contract between Putin and his people is being thrown into doubt. In newspaper articles, among political analysts, even in corners of the Kremlin, questions can be heard. Will Russians admire Putin as much when oil is at $40 a barrel as they did when it was at $140 a barrel? And if Russia's economy seriously falters, will his system of hard, personal power prove to be a trap for him? Can it relieve public anger, and can he escape the blame?

Economic downturn may threaten Putin's power - International Herald Tribune



 
 
Powered By Industrial Memetics
RSS2.0