The author points out two noteworthy aspects: first, the U.S. courts have served as the first line of defense, with 95% of Trump's lawsuits being dismissed; second, Trump came to power during a time when the U.S. economy was not in a state of collapse. By contrast, Russia’s democratic institutions in the 1990s were quickly devoured by Putin, partly due to the country's economic breakdown. As for the analysis of their personalities, the author’s observations are, in my view, quite incisive.Thank you for your great piece.
Interesting ... the only positive thing that I can say about Putin is that he likes tigers -- my spirit animal, who unlike lions, is solitary by nature.
Regarding autocrats and autocratic powers, I'm reminded of a passage in Robert Massie's biography of Catherine the Great. In it, he recounts a conversation between V.S. Popov, an aide to Potemkin, and young Tsar Alexander I:
"The subject was the unlimited power with which the great Catherine ruled her empire. ... I spoke of the surprise I felt at the blind obedience with which her will was fulfilled everywhere, of the eagerness and zeal which all tried to please her."
""It is not as easy as you think," she [Catherine] replied. "In the first place, my orders would not be carried out unless they were the kind of orders which could be carried out. You know what prudence and circumspection I act in promulgation of my laws. I take advice, I consult the enlightened part of the people, and in this way I find out what sort of effect my laws will have. And when I am already convinced in advance of good approval, then I issue my orders, and have the pleasure of observing what you call blind obedience. That is the foundation of unlimited power. But, believe me, they will not obey blindly when orders are not adapted to the opinion of the people."" (572-573).
"Her wielding of absolute power rested on her sensitivities to the nuances of the possible." (572)
OTOH, "It would not be impossible to prove with sufficient repetition and a psychological understanding of the people concerned that a square is in fact a circle." Joseph Goebbels
Brilliant analysis. Very accurate parallels. I'd like to add a couple more points.
Firstly, Putin acted according to the manuals of the red communist KGB.
The methods and ways of controlling people were taken directly from there.
Secondly, when Putin, to maintain his power, needed to throw his citizens into the furnace of war, he first sent residents from the rural hinterland; there are almost no men left in the villages now.
Do you believe the Ukrainian reporters on here daily who say they are in the process of "demilitarising" Russia? Your judgement reigns but Russia seems to have bitten off more than it can chew- again. Trump may find himself without an ally one of these days.
The author points out two noteworthy aspects: first, the U.S. courts have served as the first line of defense, with 95% of Trump's lawsuits being dismissed; second, Trump came to power during a time when the U.S. economy was not in a state of collapse. By contrast, Russia’s democratic institutions in the 1990s were quickly devoured by Putin, partly due to the country's economic breakdown. As for the analysis of their personalities, the author’s observations are, in my view, quite incisive.Thank you for your great piece.
Interesting ... the only positive thing that I can say about Putin is that he likes tigers -- my spirit animal, who unlike lions, is solitary by nature.
Regarding autocrats and autocratic powers, I'm reminded of a passage in Robert Massie's biography of Catherine the Great. In it, he recounts a conversation between V.S. Popov, an aide to Potemkin, and young Tsar Alexander I:
"The subject was the unlimited power with which the great Catherine ruled her empire. ... I spoke of the surprise I felt at the blind obedience with which her will was fulfilled everywhere, of the eagerness and zeal which all tried to please her."
""It is not as easy as you think," she [Catherine] replied. "In the first place, my orders would not be carried out unless they were the kind of orders which could be carried out. You know what prudence and circumspection I act in promulgation of my laws. I take advice, I consult the enlightened part of the people, and in this way I find out what sort of effect my laws will have. And when I am already convinced in advance of good approval, then I issue my orders, and have the pleasure of observing what you call blind obedience. That is the foundation of unlimited power. But, believe me, they will not obey blindly when orders are not adapted to the opinion of the people."" (572-573).
"Her wielding of absolute power rested on her sensitivities to the nuances of the possible." (572)
OTOH, "It would not be impossible to prove with sufficient repetition and a psychological understanding of the people concerned that a square is in fact a circle." Joseph Goebbels
Something to think about ...
Brilliant analysis. Very accurate parallels. I'd like to add a couple more points.
Firstly, Putin acted according to the manuals of the red communist KGB.
The methods and ways of controlling people were taken directly from there.
Secondly, when Putin, to maintain his power, needed to throw his citizens into the furnace of war, he first sent residents from the rural hinterland; there are almost no men left in the villages now.
If I were them, I'd really think about that...
Do you believe the Ukrainian reporters on here daily who say they are in the process of "demilitarising" Russia? Your judgement reigns but Russia seems to have bitten off more than it can chew- again. Trump may find himself without an ally one of these days.
That was a good, well balanced piece mate.
Wonderful and very knowledgeable comparison with Russia! These are very bad people (as tRump would say)!