History /
What should Russia and Poland do to become if not friends, then at least not enemies? [945]
@Korvinus
Historically Russia has always been somewhat lawless. Instead of courts, most disputes were resolved by the commune, based on shared understandings. Not to be confused with the "understandings" of Thieves-in-Law, but ancient Russian "understandings" of justice. The official codex of laws was often viewed with derision.
A popular saying in 19th century Russia was: «Строгость российских законов смягчается необязательностью их исполнения». Translation: "The draconian nature of Russian law is tempered by its rare enforcement."
This attitude towards law carried through into the Soviet era.
Things changed with the coming of Putin and Medvedev, both lawyers by training (in Medvedev's case, he is a professor of law). These two fellows assign huge importance to laws. This is why Putin engaged in his absurd little switcheroo with Medvedev, instead of just ripping up the constitution. This is why Putin justifies his constant grip on power through various legal maneuvers. The laws against foreign agents, laws against homosexual propaganda, laws against foreign adoption, etc, etc.
He (Putin), claims to have learned this from the West. He believes this is the way things are done in your "civilized" world, and this is why he cloaks himself with these legal justifications for every action. He sees how the west bludgeons its opponents with laws, and he tries to keep up. When they then call him a dictator and a butcher, Putin is only half-feigning surprise. I think there is a genuine disconnect between how Putin views his own actions, and how they are interpreted in the West.
On some level, he thinks of himself as the most democratic and law-abiding Russian ruler in history. Western outrage, therefore, is synthetic in his view.
