Russian President Dmitry Medvedev came out today against the rehabiliation of Soviet leader Josef Stalin’s image, in no uncertain terms: “Millions of Soviet citizens died under Stalin’s rule and Mr Medvedev said it was not possible to justify those who exterminated their own people. He also warned against efforts to falsify history and defend repression.”
Under Medvedev’s predecessor, Vladimir Putin, Stalin received somewhat of an image makeover—although, to be fair, it was largely supported by average Russians eager to remember their country as a superpower and economically and technologically advanced. Putin, of course, remains Prime Minister, and Medvedev’s comments seem to be a break with that attitude. Since the breakup of the Soviet Union, living standards for common people have plummeted in Russia, even while a few insanely wealthy oligarchs make out like kings at the top. This, of course, has been a prime factor in entrenching authoritarianism, as well as the promotion of Soviet nostalgia.
If Russia ever were to join the first world, it would begin that path with major economic reforms that would improve the plight of the masses. Russia is facing the oil curse, and losing. Its economy resembles the worst aspects of the Soviet system, without any of the benefits (massive investments in infrastructure and one of the best science/technology sectors in the world).
