Quote:
Originally Posted by CliffFletcher
I think it helps to recognize the different circles of Russian society: Putin’s inner circle of state power; the next circle of wealthy Russians who reap much of the rewards from the economy and who are (for now) compliant with the regime because they’re vulnerable to state coercion; a small liberal class who have a more favourable view of the West; average Russian citizens.
The interests of these groups are not in alignment. Putin likely calculates that if he can keep the last group - the largest group by far - onside, then the others can pound sand.
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I always go back to this video when discussing autocrats