The Real Reasons Why Russia Keeps Living Under Dictatorships

[@elvirabary]

Thank you all for your insightful comments. It's amazing and a bit overwhelming, but I do read every single one! :) See my latest video "I Met a REAL American in Soviet Russia and LIVED to Tell the Tale!" here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5-aZJeanMepZrs

[@jeremysmith54565]

Just started watching this, is going to be a very interesting video and thank you as well!

[@bradleyhalfacre7992]

I just did, thank you it has helped my understanding of Russia so much.

[@theopendoor3716]

The USA can't break free from its dictatorship because they keep telling themselves they are free inspite of their subjugation to the I R S .

[@kiwiwifi]

My great grandfather left Russia for New Zealand in the late 19th century. I am so grateful.

[@anonymouse527]

My father did in the 20th century. Also grateful. 😊

[@joebollig2689]

Same for my family….and I am so grateful, too! Amerikanische Wolga-Deutscher.

[@Dunskaroo]

Great-grandmother fled Russia for Lithuania then fled there too for USA.

[@kentalanlee]

@@joebollig2689 My mother's family as well. They left in the 1910's for Michigan. (Grass and Gross families, Stahl am Tarlyk)

[@joebollig2689]

@ there are Gross families in and around Hays, Kansas, an area of Volga-German settlement.

[@bobthecpaontheloose4141]

My wife is from mainland China and after many visits, I have had the opportunity to make observations of public behaviour... It's been pretty deeply ingrained into the populace that politics and government intervention are low on their list of interests. Based upon the power structure of the country, these are areas where you have no choices so you remove yourself from concerning yourself about them... as long all other things in your life are OK. That's how they take your power away - take away your choices.

[@phil20_20]

Systemic Complacency

[@huangshen-ec7dr]

​@@phil20_20It's Europeans and Americans who have adopted systemic complacency. The state's role is to ensure just law is maintained, the people are protected from external threats, and public money is spent and systems are in place to ensure citizens can experience a increasing high quality of life. Despite your sense of political freedom, all of these things have been and continue to be eroded in the interest of creating wealth for the richest in your society. Chinese governance is not perfect but given the differences in post war circumstances, China has improved whereas the United States and Europe have only declined in the qualities I described.

[@kentalanlee]

@@phil20_20 I prefer to think of it as 'learned helplessness'. I think that better describes it, psychologically.

[@ERRATAS0707]

China has been like that for centuries, it's in their culture. Asians aren't as individualist as the westerners, if you criticize their way of life they'll probably feel disrespected and roast your country as well.

[@LeafarR1657]

It's not different in any other country. The lower and middle classes will never be able to revolt or do anything meaningful enough to change the power structure stablished because their hands and thoughts are always busy with their survival. The difference from them to US people is that US have more wealthy people with free time that don't need to care much about surviving, so they go to political rallies and gather together to protest, to complain and shitpost on Twitter, to "storm the capitol", and whatever. And the funny thing is that even doing such splurge, things don't change. They still can only choose between two parties and candidates that will do the oligarchs bidding. I bet many Americans find immoral the behavior of rich people and companies forming lobbies to influenciate and dictate what the statesman legislate (which should be a public servant, not serve themselves of the public). But they obviously will not do much about it because they have more to lose than let it pass. The only places and times where the people taken in arms to do something was when even the basic was taken from them. Then they will have not to lose by not doing anything and will eventually start or join any fight. And no the US revolution war is not an example of a people's revolt because the people was only doing what their local rulers (rich people and oligarchs) forced them to do. Governments around the world know this, so they use the practice and moto: "Rob them and starve them, but not too much that it will make them desperate".

[@jonsanborn6849]

I lived in Russia for a few years and spent a decade studying Russian history and literature. For me, it has little to do with the geography and external factors which you list and far more to do with the Russian mindset. As many others have pointed out because the things you describe also occur in many other countries. There’s a Russian proverb that says leaders rule, not the law. This toxic idea is why a society keeps choosing leaders who are above the law. The second toxic idea is vranyo, which creates a society that has little truth to build upon and reinforces deception and bribery, in all levels of society. And the third is the idea of expendable human life for something greater. This pawn mentality works in chess but for humanity, it’s devastating. It’s the reason that thousands of soldiers can die in a week and no one cares. Many of my friends in the army, there told me about this to great detail. I still love Russia and my friends there though.

[@ericwillis777]

Excellent precis of "Ruski Mir" .

[@mastersafari5349]

" a society keeps choosing leaders who are above the law" How a society has a choice if there's a rule of leader and not the rule of law?

[@ericwillis777]

@@mastersafari5349 He should have said "when they have had a choice" - which was not often, and it was not always apparent as a " choice" - but there were a few "windows of opportunity" which slipped by, subsumed by power and autocracy.

[@Nik-jq4tx]

What about the "democratic" US empire which exploits through the dollar the whole world and has started 60 wars in 100 years?

[@What-vr6lp]

"proverb that says leaders rule, not the law" -- could you please give a version of this in Russian language? I'm struggling to identify this proverb.

[@freetibet1000]

Up here in Scandinavia we endure a similar type of climate but during the first stages of the industrial revolution these countries realised the potential and started a reorganisation of their entire structures of society to utilise the booming markets for natural resources that was emerging. But the most significant reason for the significant rise in living standards and conditions was the realisation that a decentralisation of power within all sectors of society would lead to a prosperous society in the longer run. All Scandinavian nations had learned the hard way how destructive centralised power can be. Democratic ideals became the new order to establish and defend against the old establishments that still wanted everything to be like it always had been. Labour unions arose and became very dominant in defending the rights of the working classes. New Constitutions where forged to establish strong defences for system of decentralised power structures within each country. Systems of educations were put in place to ensure a high level of individual knowledge, rather than relying on a small elite of higher learning. The Scandinavian countries started a journey towards a society that truly believed in liberation through learning. The liberation of the individual became a priority while ideologies concerning social stability and cooperation was encouraged as well. A sense of belonging in conjunction with individual responsibilities was established.

[@sophieblack8864]

Thank you SO much for your excellent comment.

[@SuperElkjer]

You are right about what you are saying. I just always wondered why it changed from monarchy to democracy or if it really changed. King or Queen still, more or less, have to sign everything the government makes. When did the change happen in history. Back in time, a lot of Royals in Europe were kind of banned from their country. In France, it went really bad for the royal and rich people during the revolution. I always wondered if the royals in scandinavia just went to democracy, to stay in power and not end up like in France?

[@prototropo]

@@freetibet1000 That was an eloquent summary of the best possible course for any industrial country. I'm constantly baffled that Russia doesn't see the obvious logic and appeal of liberal democracy. The Nordic societies are superior to the United States, where I live, because proper restraints are placed on the extremes of market capitalism, and human needs have priority over corporate profits. I think if we survive Trump (which we will) the popular trend will be toward a more socialized state. I'm grateful we have good models in Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. But the world, obviously, cannot be truly safe with Russia and China gripped by authoritarian rule.

[@squirlmy]

Well, firstly the Scandinavian (maybe we can say Nordic, therefore include Finland) countries all had enormous coastlines. They sent ships, to raid and make up for poor crop yields, fight each other, then Viking ships spread to make raids across much of Europe, and colonising other lands as well. Dublin was a city founded and run for over 300 years by Vikings(Ostmen, as they called themselves), not Celts. Norwegian Vikings could expand/escape to Iceland and even N. America. There were were battles and skirmishes done in the name of Christianity for a while, although these were really mostly about resources and power. Skipping ahead to Medieval times, Denmark came to rule Norway, the Southern Swedish Coast, England, and Iceland. A key to "decentralisation" was that most of the rest of Scandinavia experienced being ruled by a *foreign* power. Championing more egalitarian communities, went a long way in motivating people to fight for independence. The foreign conquest of much of Russia, (besides the Rus in Kiev), came only from Tartars led by Genghis Khan's sons. (They weren't called Mongols, no one was, until 1947, after WWII. Kinda surprising) The only example of successful anti-king sentiment near Russia since medieval times is the Ukrainian Cossacks. Before them, the father of Ivan the Terrible, and Ivan himself claimed ancestry from Ukrainian princes to justify conquest in that territory, and modern Russian politicians continue to claim this. There is no evidence Ivan had any ancestry from Ukraine. It's much more likely his father made up this claim. freetibet's description from the industrial revolution sounds a bit idealistic to me; brotherhood and unions and suffrage, bah, blah blah. I tend to think it was centuries of blood and guts and blood-eagles and such before the Nordic people decided to play nice with one another(and it took longer to extend that to the Sámi). And Egalitarianism, not just no kings; but more financial equality. Russia definitely doesn't have that, in spite of Communist propaganda. In fact it's far more likely for any child at the bottom economic level in any of the Scandinavian countries to realize "the American Dream" than in America. Lately there's been a ton of Scandinavian millionaires, but, like everywhere, overall shrinking economic equality. And in future military action from the Kremlin, they'll need their Viking spirit.

[@squirlmy]

​@@SuperElkjer it's deeper than that. When I visited Denmark, people loved telling stories about seeing Queen Margrethe II shopping in the supermarket, without obvious protection or an entourage, just her, at an ordinary supermarket. And before oil, Norway was dirt poor. Now every Norwegian has a Tesla and a million dollar retirement fund (I'm not exaggerating, not much anyways). Royalty is a whole different vibe up north.

[@abdabzeebop2]

That's about the most coherent explanation of Russia I've heard anywhere. So much information and context in one video. Well done.

[@barbarcreighton6726]

Very good educational piece ...

[@Del350K4]

Yes, it's a pleasant surprise to find a video so satisfying : )

[@RomanKovbasyuk]

It's a repeat of imperialistic version of ruZZian history taught in Soviet schools.

[@thomasklui4747]

Yes!

[@argumentativelysound2001]

If only it wasn't a lie. You're deceived by her "saintly" demena, but she's already lying to you. Russia grew to power under the Golden Horde (Tartars as she puts it) and was the most loyal Mongolian vassal in the region. Check the names of Aleksandr Nevskij and Dmitriy Donskoy, will be an eye opening experience. After the Golden Horde fell apart due to Great Khans death, all factions of the Horde engaged into succession wars, russia was not an acception. She's LYING, shamelessly.

[@susanproctor7512]

I was in Russie in 1974. Nothing worked consistently , obvious poverty, even in Moscow, paranoia and lack of the sense of responsibility required for democracy. This was a enlightening comment.

[@BeefT-Sq]

" The patronizing attitude which regards the people as ' the masses ' ---as helpless, whining, begging masses that plead for handouts from a benevolent ruler and wait for his permission to drag the rich to the guillotine---is so dated that it would not work even in modern Europe. " -Ayn Rand-

[@jonathanj.7344]

I live in Britain in 2024 where people have to resort to pulling their own teeth out with pliers, and where you can be imprisoned for writing the wrong things on Facebook.

[@timofeyshtokolov8093]

@@jonathanj.7344 God save the king😂

[@mungothomas2274]

Gross over-generalisation , and ukippy brainwash... millions of people make oppressive comments and break the law on FB , and only one ever was sentenced to prison . You can still get emergency dental treatment or go to A&E for it ... Though I agree that inequality is appalling here and decades of right wing and corrupt governments / brainwashed electorates are guilty of this.... As we really are idiotic , the sick man of Europe , and vote for mass transfer of wealth from poor to rich .

[@markuseden2105]

When the Soviet Union collapsed there WAS a short window where things could have changed. The "estates" collapsed but where then quickly bought up by a few oligarchs. Russia was in chaos. Putin in essence reined in this "chaos" by reintroducing the estates and with it the dependence on the state to survive. Having said that I live in Cyprus and experienced the tremendous influx of Russians to the island in the early 1990's. One thing that struck me from the beginning was 1) the incredible cynicism and 2) the lack of empathy most Russians seemed to embody. Media - all lies / Politics - all lies - everyone is as bad as each other, no one does anything for free or out of conviction etc. A gay man got beat up on the street? Serves him right! Why's he gay anyway? Cyprus is still full of Russians and not much has changed. The war in Ukraine? A tragedy but more a "natural disaster" than something anyone could have avoided. I'm afraid it is also the predominant attitude that shapes a country.

[@mastersafari5349]

Post-socialist societies are usually low trust societies. But Russians are especially distrustful of each other. It's a deeply scarred nation that doesn't believe that other people may have a good will. That's why oligarchs are so exploitative, government officials are so corrupt, and population feared of one another and depends so much on the government.

[@kdubovenko]

You are spot on. I’m originally from Ukraine but have lived in the US most of my life. In the past, Russian and Ukrainian social circles overlapped (less so no thankfully), but I had the same perspective - incredible cynicism and distrust of anything and anyone particularly in people coming from Russia.

[@prototropo]

I feared as much, but it's good to get a serious, thoughtful affirmation of my fears. I find this so depressing, because I have always admired Russia's cultural history--Borodin, Tolstoy, Chekov, Prokofiev, Vavilov, Shostakovich. These were great minds and principled souls. To make things more confusing, I often despise the way my own country, America, behaves. Domestically we have admirable freedom of press, great environmental standards and high standards of living. But our culture is shallow, banal and derivative, and foreign policy is totally anti-democratic. I condemn both countries several times a day!

[@henrybrowne7248]

@@prototropo Great post. I'm pretty much in your camp.

[@stephenbingham5935]

@@prototropo Fools like Alina Habba climb onto a stage in front of maga galoots and shout ''I AM AN AMERICAN''! The crowd go nuts. As if she had revealed the secrets of the universe. At every right wing / conservative rally they wear entire outfits of stars and stripes and scream about ''patriotism'' and ''freedom''. Like it is some far off dream. I would not care if they were just another tin pot dictatorship but real power is now in their hands. And like the Russians there is a similar level of pride in stupidity, banal cruelty and conspiracy fixations. As an Australian I have long been horrified and fearful of the Americanisation of our country as if America is the gold standard. America abandoned the gold standard literally and metaphorically in the 1970's.

[@TrineDaely]

It's sad that the poorest areas are those with the richest natural resources - taken by the state with minimal compensation to feed the rich.

[@GCarty80]

And Muscovy/Rossiya has long been a state based on exporting natural resources: in Ivan the Terrible's day it was furs, while today it is oil and gas.

[@Arnold-t1z]

When there was socialism, healthcare, education, electricity and transport were free or at symbolic prices, everyone had their own home, there were no beggars, drug addicts, genders and queers. The dictatorship of socialism is better than the democracy of capitalism.The resources in Ukraine are for the Ukrainians, just as in Russia they are for the Russians, in Libya they are for the Libyans, etc. The Jews, the English, and the Americans have no right to say anything, let alone to order outside their countries.

[@foljs5858]

The resources of the poorest countries are usually taken by "democracies" while moralizing how great and freedom-loving they are. And when the governments in those poor countries are their bedfellows and give them resources on the cheap, they have no problem with them, even if they're dictator. In fact those "democracies" like Britain, the US, France, had supported dictators all around the world - as long as they do their bidding

[@TeaParty1776]

"Reason is the Devils harlot. -Luther Luther rejected the Churchs acceptance of worldliness for the extreme mysticism of the Dark Ages. He was a hater of the focused mind.

[@GCarty80]

What @@foljs5858 is saying sounds like the Leninist conceit that capitalism (and thus presumably bourgeois democracy too) is dependent upon imperialism.

[@mikek2218]

The US will soon be asking the same questions.

[@Terra_Lopez]

Yes, but God, I hope not!

[@jonathanj.7344]

Better than being a woke radioactive cinder under Harris.

[@jannetteberends8730]

As I understand your explanation, there was never a middle class in Russia. For a functioning democracy you need an educated middle class, I think.

[@HomeFromFarAway]

This seems very true

[@GCarty80]

@@jannetteberends8730 Can't have bourgeois democracy with no bourgeoisie!

[@ollep9142]

I don't think there *must* be a middle class. USA, for example, has a fairly small middle class as well. The vast majority of the population must be well educated though. Democracy doesn't mean that 51% of the votes equals 100% of the power. Compromises must be sought for a democracy to function over time.

[@HomeFromFarAway]

@@ollep9142 I fundamentally disagree. all of the countries that have the best gdp, lifestyle, crime, education, human rights and freedom of movement/employment have a very established middle class. Losing that signals a decent into economic, political and life expectancy decline

[@davegreen9331]

The USA isn’t a particularly healthy democracy though. Though you’re correct about compromise - I find people in the UK and Australia are much more respectful of different viewpoints and tend to be less prone to extremes.

[@AtlasAndersson]

Low density population helped those in rural areas avoid infectious diseases, yes, but in urban areas a lack of basic plumbing, sanitation, and medical resources led to more devastating impacts than in other countries at the same time.

[@EarthForces]

The Black Death happened in the era where Russia wasn't even a thing. The Kievan Rus (precursor to Ukraine) was destroyed, and the territories of modern-day Russia were disparate principalities under the "Tatar (Mongol) Yoke" of mostly dispersed towns with few exception like Novgorod's medium sized "cities." Her points stand but only at a certain time period, which the medieval period is one of those instances.

[@PKowalski2009]

@@EarthForces But other epidemics decimated the population actually until the end of the 19th century (how many cholera cemeteries I know of in the area, organized for victims of epidemics in the 19th century).

[@HomeFromFarAway]

​@@EarthForcesMy country is only 200 years old, that's plenty time

[@Nik-jq4tx]

What about the "democratic" US empire which exploits through the dollar the whole world and has started 60 wars in 100 years?

[@michaelpearse5603]

I've been reading Russian (and general East European) history for decades. (Along with visits, and contacts with Russian and Belarusian friends.) And this short, simple video BRILLIANTLY synthesises what one might otherwise have to wade through oceans of erudite works and Russian classics (as I have) to learn! THANK you! If one were to tackle just one book to 'get' all of this a little further, I would without hesitation point to Tim McDaniel's astonishing "The Agony of the Russian Idea". (No longer new, but still entirely apposite.) Again - congratulations on a superb summary!

[@martinlitorell3834]

Stupid?

[@HomeFromFarAway]

clearly you are ​@@martinlitorell3834, and repetitive too

[@barrylane1055]

I lecture on Russian history/culture and often quote McDaniel's book. Bravo for mentioning it!!!

[@rdelrosso1973]

@@martinlitorell3834 With all due respect, I find your comment is stupid.

[@thomasklui4747]

I agree!

[@nickedmett1]

An older Russian opined "there are only three types of people in Russia - Those in jail, those released from jail and those waiting to go to jail"

[@henrybrowne7248]

🤣Nice quote.

[@ВасилийНезнамнов]

Не так... Одна половина сидит, другая половина охраняет. Это о сталинских временах.

[@Conserpov]

It's called "a joke", Russians do love them

[@timphillips9954]

A bigger percentage of the people in the USA end up in prison than China! please get a grip on reality.

[@Kelvinpaul4]

​@@Conserpovis it some sort of victim, self depreciation humor?

[@mikedunn7795]

She doesn't touch on drinking in Russia,which for centuries has had the practical effect of keeping the masses from staging an organized rebellion. Vodka is cheap and widely available,and many Russians,especially males,usually drink it to excess.

[@pipe2devnull]

She has another video on drinking.

[@russmitchellmovement]

As omnipresent in Russia as in the American South under the planter class, who functioned the same way. (The Confederate apologists/"Dunning School" tried to glorify the antebellum south, but it's known at at least a third of southern whites owned nothing more than the clothes they were wearing and some pocket change, plus maybe a hand tool or two). Trapped within the system, alcoholism was rampant, as was doing the bare minimum to survive because anything else simply made one a target or else got stolen.

[@thomasklui4747]

Drinking might be considered a symptoms, not a cause.

[@mastersafari5349]

There are a lot of heavy drinker societies that are very libertarian (take Ireland for example). Alcoholism isn't the reason here in my opinion.

[@rackbites]

@@mastersafari5349 You do know Ireland's history ??? ... The English basically stole their land and enslaved them. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantations_of_Ireland But alcoholism in Ireland has it's own special WikiP page. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholism_in_Ireland ... "Alcohol consumption in Ireland witnessed a dramatic upsurge in the 18th century among the working class living in urban slums, who used alcohol to cope with their living conditions. "

[@kws1957]

The same applies to Canada 🇨🇦 they still live better than the Russians. If I would have been the president of Russia 🇷🇺 I would try to grow citrus 🍊 trees 🌳 in Siberia, instead of starting a stupid war in Ukraine 🇺🇦. I only hear excuses why nothing works in Russia 🇷🇺 but not an incentive to change something to the better. I see people in the state of Nevada growing citrus 🍋‍🟩 trees 🌳 and in Canada 🇨🇦 the Canadians grow bananas 🍌, from Russia 🇷🇺 I always hear excuses.

[@tedgemberling2359]

I think Canada is luckier because of its relationship with England and the United States. By the time Canada was established, they already had a tradition of self- government from England. Trade with the US was also very lucrative.

[@СашиныРазговорчики]

FYI: most populated areas of Canada, where I assume these tropical crops are planted, is situated between 42°N and 50°N. Vast majority of Russians live far to the north from 50°N (in fact there's very little land below this latitude in Russia). Nevada lays between 35°N and 41°N. Southernmost tip of Russia is 41.2°N. I hope this simple geography explains why citrus and bananas do not ripe in Russia. The Sun never gets as high in the whole territory of Russia as it gets in Nevada. Something like that.

[@evelynfakira5612]

Canada has the rivers for export, remember

[@eternalManchild]

​@@tedgemberling2359 It's not because of wealth it's because of stubbornness. Canadians would rather be dead than enslaved.

[@thomasklui4747]

China has agricultural issues as well. And they are doing well.

[@earthtourist-99]

Thank you so much, a semester long class summarized in 12 minutes. The insight is priceless.

[@martinlitorell3834]

Stupid?

[@HomeFromFarAway]

​@@martinlitorell3834yes you are

[@kentalanlee]

Your perceptions are interesting, Elvira. Thank you.

[@elvirabary]

Thank you!

[@asmodeus0454]

​@@elvirabaryInteresting account of Russian history and historical insights, Elvira. Keep up the good work.

[@Lillyofthevalley222]

So insightful and such a perfect example of why one way of living (capitalism) can not just simply be introduced to another country when that country has been built and shaped by the land and resources or lack there of for centuries.

[@tlangdon12]

Perhaps Russia can only be governed by a dictator, but even a dictator can govern in ways that improve his people's quality of life. The challenge for the West is how to engage with dictators. Making the dictator rich, like we did with Putin, merely serves to make them more distant from the people they rule.

[@TeaParty1776]

when that country has been shaped by the hatred of THE focused mind

[@kenofken9458]

Russia has never had anything even remotely approaching a functioning democracy. The only memories Russians have of the fleeting freedom in the 90s was as a time of desperate poverty for most people.

[@hubertusvenator5838]

What is functional mob rule?

[@Notrusbot]

It's convenient to blame everything on the mythical democracy in your understanding. But democracy is the power of the people, during the October Revolution the people took power, isn't that democracy?

[@NmpK24]

@@Notrusbot Did those people want to swap a authoritarian ruler for a dictator who killed millions of his own people? Cos thats what they got and it ended up being even worse. The French Revolution created much political turmoil and they went back to a monarchy before democracy gradually came in. It took a long time though, not overnight. And its more than just self-determination, its having a system where all viewpoints get the chance to be represented.

[@Notrusbot]

@@NmpK24 Yes, people wanted to change the government that had already removed the Tsar. At the same time, no one remembers that the Tsarist prisons were the same gulag, only even stricter, that there was the same famine. All these stories about totalitarian communism are nothing more than horror stories for "democratic" countries.

[@kenofken9458]

@@Notrusbot Revolutions are not democracy. There are in all of history countless thousands of revolutions but only a handful of working democracies that came from it. Democracy is about what happens after the guns go silent. It's about actually governing.

[@InterstellarMedium]

This video confirms very much what some of my Russian friends have said about Russia since the 1980s: That Russians seem unable to get rid of their slave mentality. Some of my friends were children of high ranking Soviet diplomats (Nomenklatura) who lived in Geneva and NYC before the Soviet Union was dissolved. I was always shocked at their pessimistic views on Russians and the future of Russia. Essentially they said (and still say) that the Russians cannot free themselves from their slave mentality because they were the last people in Europe that experienced large scale slavery until 1861. Serfdom affected at least 40% of the population and unlike traditional serfs who are attached to land, those poor peasants could be sold just like slaves. To answer the question on the way out of living under authoritarianism or totalitarianism: I think that Russia should simply follow the way that Ukraine went. Ukraine was remarkably similar in social and political structure. Most Russians (just like Ukrainians in 2013) want their country to become a "normal" country (i.e. a functional democratic and free country). I think most Russian intellectuals know exactly why Putin started the war with Ukraine following the illegal annexation of Crimea and invasion of the eastern parts of Ukraine: What was happening in the Maidan, had started to spread to Russia, and Putin had to stop it to ensure his evil regime would continue to exist. I think this interview of Yevgenia Albats on PBS sums up very well the whole story and its motives: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqWQhJqclrmLatEsi=yK07rgdAI7_WBvtQ

[@sergiystoyan899]

how naive is your 'simply'. You simply expressed something simpleminded.

[@ericwillis777]

@@sergiystoyan899 Well, maybe he shoud have said " simply should have" - instead of "should" - the opportunity for that course of action, which as you imply, is more complex to implement, embodies a "simple concept" ie. become democratic. Just because this is a simple concept does not mean that it is a "simple minded concept ", that is an excessively predjucial comment, and, if the way you present yourself is to be credible, then it is an unworthy comment.

[@sergiystoyan899]

@@ericwillis777 What I imply is that the proposition is just impossible to implement like setting water on fire. You, young western friends, look quite far from understanding the matter and are just building mental constructions you were taught to by your lefty teachers. Yes, I'm irritated by reading foolish things about russia again and again. Until you begin dying in a war with that monster, you will just keep harping nonsense about democracy there, credibility of opinions etc.

[@sergiystoyan899]

@@ericwillis777 What I imply is that the proposition is just impossible to implement like setting water on fire. You, young western friends, look quite far from understanding the matter and are just building mental constructions you were taught to by your lefty teachers.

[@KarelBeelaertsvanBlokland]

Excellent! Well done. Thank you. More people should be interested in the historical context of countries to understand their politics and motives.

[@shupingwang3392]

Thank you for your insightful video. I learn from you. Best wishes from Kharkiv, Ukraine.

[@TarasZpilot]

Interesting analysis Elvira. I believe many of today's Russian youth are attempting to break free of government dependence by starting videos just like you are doing. I enjoyed your video. Keep them coming!

[@elvirabary]

It’s anything but easy. I’m deeply troubled by the thought that the children of my school friends now have far fewer opportunities than we did in our twenties.

[@justmynickname]

@@elvirabary Still you have a long way to left away Russian imperial views. Moscow is not a heir to the Novgorod. It's like saying that Turks are heirs of Rome.

[@martinlitorell3834]

Stupid?

[@GCarty80]

@@justmynickname Especially given that the Muscovites _brutally destroyed_ Novgorod under Ivan the Terrible!

[@rescuingmodernity]

Bless you for standing on the right side of history and supporting the people of Ukraine!!!

[@CPAndy-x5x]

As a young adult in 1980's I recall russia had glasnost and perestroika. Private ownership of small businesses. Today there are multiple ways to make a living besides agriculture and free of the state. Medicine, research, science, technology, industry and manufacturing. Furthermore, farming is mechanized now and doesn't rely on peasants in bark shoes to harvest and milk. Somehow russians became impatient with the transition from reliance on the state and fell back on the strongman. It's easier to work at your state job with your steady pay and quota filled by Wednesday, then the rest of the time is yours. But you won't get richer. Now there is even a cult of Russian nobility where people are worshipping the tsar and his family as "martyrs."

[@tlangdon12]

If your quota is filled by Wednesday, this suggests that some Russians would have time to develop skills, but clearly the state in Russia has a great interest in limiting the skills you can acquire. This might lie at the root of the Russian state limiting immigration, in spite of rapidly falling birth rates and the loss of young men in the war in Ukraine. Immigrants bring new skills and languages which they might teach to Russians, who can then leave.

[@bendenisereedy7865]

Veneration of lost nobility is just Russian imperialism, nothing new.

[@Winspur1982]

This sort of cult (Charles I was revered as a martyr by some Anglicans, and people of royalist sympathies even today fawn over Charles III) is not unique to Russia. You cite "medicine, research, science, technology" as things one can make a living at. In practice the only use Putin has for any of that is to harvest plasma from the poor to save the lives of elite generals who might get hit by enemy missiles.

[@malcolmsmart5214]

Reading Dostoevsky will give you an excellent feel for the 'Russian' psyche. 'Notes from Underground' and 'The Brothers Karamazov' capture this ethos the best.

[@jamescarlyle5083]

Also Tergenev

[@Nik-jq4tx]

What about the "democratic" US empire which exploits through the dollar the whole world and has started 60 wars in 100 years?

[@bradleyhalfacre7992]

A must read if you want to understand.

[@harmony9591]

Good work! Nice summary, insightful!

[@gregzemp587]

Well done. Much better explanation than of all the "TV opinion makers".

[@yaroslavlitovchenko7109]

All right. Exactly the same - climate, soil quality, etc - goes for Scandinavian countries, Finland, Sweden, Norway. Why is such huge difference in their strive for democracy amd wellbeing between them and Russia?

[@ВасилийНезнамнов]

Найдите мой пост, где я объясняю, почему Швеция находясь в похожих климатических условиях политически и социально развивалась иначе. Для начала скажите: Испытывала ли Швеция ордынское иго на протяжении 2.5 веков? Имела ли Швеция проблемы в виде осколков Орды до 19 века? Имела ли Швеция границу на западе с соперником, зачастую не менее сильным? Правда ли, что Швеция долгое время испытывала разбойные набеги южных соседей, уводивших в рабство её жителей десятками тысяч за один раз? Правда ли что Швеция должна была постоянно опасаться нападения кого-либо с суши? И ещё: Правда ли, что набеги викингов, приводившие в ужас всю Европу, были ранними проявлениями стремления шведов к демократии?

[@MrsUnderwriter]

​@@ВасилийНезнамновтаки да. Орда вас просто за нос водила. Об-ма-ну-ли. На-ду-ли😂

[@TheCherrybuster]

Very interesting, keep up. One more reason for the Russian agriculture inefficiency was a sokha plowing which was pretty common until the wake of the XX century whereas other countries had been using a plow

[@peterbaldwin9532]

Very interesting and insightful, from Australia. Thank you.

[@carlosgaspar8447]

from 1613-1917 russia was a monarchy. then there was the bolshevik revolution. dictatorships were common around this time.

[@seanmellows1348]

Great stuff, thanks for this.

[@smadaf]

Oh, my! I am very pleased that KZbin recommended this video to me. About twenty years ago, I, an American, had a friend who had immigrated to the United States in the early 1990s as a refugee from Russia, where his family had been persecuted for decades by the Soviet and Russian governments. Sometimes, I would ask him why Russians had always had crummy governments to live under, and he never really had a clear answer for me. I am looking forward to hearing what you say on this subject.

[@giancarlozarlengo1096]

Very interesting historic insights! I've often wondered why vast populations put up with tyrants.

[@StinkinFilthy-ks6ds]

Your perspective and its explanations are truly rare in the United States. Your videos help to fill in the gap of the cultural divide. I really like what you’re doing. Don’t stop!

[@elvirabary]

Wow, thank you!

[@jonquil3015]

Very informative, thank you. Good luck in your new career!

[@johnh9805]

My Elena is like yours and I understand first hand what you say, but my Elena learned English, and with internet now she met me online, we have traveled together 10 trips abroad, and very soon she and her son make their new home in the USA with me now after 6 years dating...😁🇷🇺❤️🇺🇸

[@TrineDaely]

Ukraine as a place peasants escaped to, convicts were exiled to, and subjected to constant raids. That's similar to US and Australian history, and therein might be a piece of the puzzle - that breeds a culture of rebellion. Fight or die trying becomes ingrained, self-sufficiency grows in such a fertile garden. When you also have people who look out for the community it breeds a culture that chaffs at being shackled.

[@GCarty80]

Cossacks are the Ukrainian libertarian ideal just as Western frontiersmen are the American libertarian ideal.

[@TeaParty1776]

people who look out for the community have shackled themselves

[@GhostRaiter]

What!!??? No. Ukraine was always a land of plenty in a warmish, inviting climate. Not the type of place you banish people to, but a type of place civilization fought for. It still is. You have no clue....

[@regnorse]

@@TeaParty1776 lol

[@chrisfarr9494]

Thanks for the history lesson , I thought it was due to the fact that Russia had No peasant revolt after the Plague ( and because of that , got no laws to protect them ) & also that they missed the " period of enlightenment " and had no industrial revolution .

[@jackieow]

Google "Russian rebellions." There have been a couple dozen.

[@joebollig2689]

Pugachev’s rebellion on the Volga.

[@СашиныРазговорчики]

Also industrial revolution took place as well, we are not making everything by hand and do not light our rooms with open flame, bless your heart.

[@Tybold63]

It all makes perfect sense and even if it was not all news to me you gave me even better context and a better coverage.

[@daniellarson3068]

Good Explanation - The more I learn of Russian culture, the more fortunate I feel I am. Was it starting to change with foreign businesses in the country? Did this cause consternation to the traditional leaders? Did people gaining freedom force them back to the old ways?

[@tlangdon12]

I'm sure it did change as a result of foreign businesses. The Russian elite wanted the West's money, goods and services, but could not allow the proletariat to develop skills that might ultimately lead them to challenge them.

[@daniellarson3068]

@@tlangdon12 I guess I never thought of the idea that they actually keep the people ignorant of useful marketable skills. It's kind of like the Middle Ages when a middle class began and challenged the aristocracy. I suppose Russian leaders don't want a skilled middle class to actually develop. Evidence of this is that Russia seems to manufacture little to be sold to the world.

[@johnstotts2131]

Thank you for the historical context and insights!

[@justmynickname]

Dozens of nations have freed from Russia. Poles, Lithuanians, Estonians, Ukrainians and more had lived in exactly the same authoritarian regime as Russians. But only Russians stay authoritarian. It's not because of oppression but because of Russian culture. Because of brutal cult of power in Russian culture.

[@SquidOnWeed]

They all came very late to the game, due to communism, so they're still in the honeymoon phase. Except for Ukrainians, I guess, who are currently getting a taste of "democracy" under Zelensky, though I suspect they'll only get what democracy is about once the war is over and Western "benefactors" come to "help" them rebuild.

[@MrHorst38]

And they all would still march on 1st mai and be model communist citizens had not Gorbatschow decided to let them become independent instead of crushing the independence movements with the Soviet army like in 1956 and 1968. And Russians rose up several times, 1917, 1991 and so on. You have no idea what you are talking about.

[@ViceCoin]

Eastern European failed states, living off EU charity. All the men who can leave left. Lowest fertility, highest poverty in Europe.

[@justmynickname]

​@@MrHorst38 Again we can see. Yes, Russians are "genetically" unable to understand their own behaviour... Because the cognitive dissonance is too huge. All these nations haven't been given freedom for free "thanks to good will of Moscow tsar - Gorbatschev". They were cultivating not only national identity for years but also their own culture, positive aspects of culture like empathy, sensitivity, fairness. Russians respect power, brutality, corruption. They are happy when they can pay a bribe for policemen or as a policemen take a bribe. They are happy when they can show "superiority" to others. Putin has a strong support not because of fear of repressions but because an average Russian is happy that his country can destroy other, beat, humiliate. It can be clearly seen in their speech and behaviour. Sorry, that's the truth. Deal with it.

[@literal_lee]

If Russia falls as a nation, everything Russian will fall victim to western capitalism and greed. Russia's culture, assets, pride, history, resources.... they will a disappear or be exploited by the west. They tried democracy with Jeltsin and he immediately started selling out. The west is a predator... and the Russians know this all too well.

[@vmhutch]

Bravo. What a wonderfully constructed and fact based foundation for understanding where Russia has been and how it got to where it is. Thank you.

[@1MiketheScribe]

Some of our best soils here on the Canadian Prairies are called "chernozem" by the soil scientists. I understand this term comes from Ukrainian or Russian and means "black soil." Likewise, some of our most important ancestral wheat comes from Ukraine.

[@elvirabary]

Yes, "chernozem" is a Russian term for the best sort of soil.

[@GCarty80]

@@elvirabary Wouldn't the Ukrainian equivalent be "chornozem"?

[@Chaldon-hl6yk]

@@GCarty80 cause ukraine means outskirt

[@iryna9483]

@@GCarty80 yes, it's чорнозем [chornozem] in Ukrainian

[@GCarty80]

@@iryna9483 I didn't use Cyrillic because @elvirabary didn't.

[@donaldwarriner1640]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I've known many Russians over the 20 years I lived in NY. They made deep impressions on me in our work both in labor level jobs and my work with society charities. Understanding gives me something to think about and when opportunities arrive I will be able help where I can.

[@_PlusUltra]

There is a book called Russka by Edward Rutherfurd, he is a writer of historical fiction, it follows like a thousand years of Russian history, from the middle ages to the late 90s. It follows the story of some Russian families for many generations.

[@elvirabary]

I'll take a look

[@jonshive5482]

@@elvirabary You may need some patience. Rutherford's tomes are thick and take a loooong time to read. But he does present a lot of useful information along with insights into how people of different eras might have lived day-to-day.

[@hinnantp]

Love his books. Russka is my favorite after London

[@timothyaverill5155]

A great read! And insightful explication of Russian history! But, thanks for this lesson for today!

[@Benbou969]

There is no such thing as "thousand years of Russian history", real Russia takes her birth in 15 century under the rule of Ivan Horrible, that converts Moscow principality into Russian Kingdom, stealing title and status from Kievan Rus.

[@xyachtie]

As I type this I am your newest subscriber happy to support what you are doing. Thank you so much for your efforts to inform us and I wish you success with what you do.

[@elvirabary]

Thank you so much for your support!

[@davidbrayshaw6162]

My belief is that Russians are attracted to what they see as “Strong Men” that attraction often leads to people like Putin. And they also hark back to perceived better days. Which never existed. Strong men = strong country. But leads to what happens later.

[@elvirabary]

That's a great point. "Strong" often means the opposite of "Kind", which is unfortunate.

[@Bunnysan2000]

Very interesting and informative!

[@GerFarrell-tm2ee]

Another great video Elvira, I will watch it again to memorise all the information you provided. Yes the climate in Russia and the political systems must have created a brutal existence for most of the people there. Looking at history and the hardships people suffered makes me humble and the only way I could live is to try my best and not be wasteful. In Ireland too we had alot of hardship and it's only very recently that people have things much better. Thank you and look forward to your next video.

[@elvirabary]

Thank you for your kind words. Ireland is beautiful!

[@nigelmartin2254]

I have had a few interactions with Russians over the decades. I have found the Russians to be clever and witty! I respect Russia and its history and culture, as I do with many other nations. Variation is the spice of life!

[@mediumkool1]

This helps explain alot about a situation that is hard for people to understand. Thanks.

[@elvirabary]

My pleasure

[@RogerMillerInVA]

You make fascinating videos, Elvira. Thank you!!

[@elvirabary]

Thank you too!

[@troglodyte300]

There is such a difference between the American population and the Russian in response to an unpopular foreign war. When the Vietnam War was going badly, and the casualties were mounting, the soldiers rebelled against their officers and attacked them in some cases. They would never go along with the "meat grinder" techniques that Russian soldiers passively submit to. There was a powerful anti-war movement in America- huge demonstrations, daily television shows showing the American casualties in the war,even bombing and acts of violences. We see very little anti-war resistance in Russia. We see Russian mothers politely begging Tsar Putin to tell them where their sons are. Incredible. Russia collapsed in 1917 and in 1991. It could happen again. We can only hope.

[@vitalydirkoutsk]

USSR collapsed in 1991, but Russia has not been reborn. Legal authority has not yet been restored. This is the first problem. The second problem is the lack of national consciousness among the population. When Putin betrayed the Russian resistance in Novorossiya, citizens of Russian Federation were silent. Sometimes there were voices crying in the desert, but no one heard them...The population does not suffer from militarism, as in good old Prussia. The population is absurdly peaceful. Now the most important thing : there are no mass protests for fear of a powerful repressive apparatus.

[@ascendantanimism]

It didn't collapse in 1917, it was overthrown by the Bolsheviks, an almost exclusively Jewish elite of anti-civilizational communist bent. This was a more violent revolution than anything the US has produced in the last century. There is an anti-war movement in Russia, but it is a police state - rebels, even in high-school are rooted out and imprisoned or worse. If the US was under that kind of duress, people also would not rebel. The UK is going through the same thing at the moment. People are to frightened to tweet criticism of Dharmer.

[@Baso-sama]

no such "meatgrinder tactics" in russia currently. this is nafo powerfantasy. check out historylegends' " Breaking The Myth of Russian “Human Wave” Attacks " video on this.

[@Chaldon-hl6yk]

Since the time of the Tatar-Mongol invasion, the main idea that unites us all, the idea that generations of our ancestors served is the idea of statehood ... A powerful, great state is the ideal for which the Russian people are ready to suffer, ready to endure any hardships, ready finally give your life... This is an irrational idea. This is not that pragmatic European desire to extract the maximum benefit for oneself personally, this is the idea of the Russian spirit, which subjugates and dissolves your, my individuality, but in return gives both you and me a hundred times more; gives a sense of belonging to a great organism, gives a sense of the spirit, gives a sense of strength and immortality. The West has always sought to compromise the idea of our statehood, but the greatest danger to our idea lies not in the West, but in ourselves; it is we ourselves who seize all these endless fashionable Western ideas, tempted by their obvious practicality, rationality, without realizing that this is precisely where their destructive power lies for us. But never mind, our own idea always wins in the end. Look: all our revolutions ultimately led not to destruction, but to the strengthening and strengthening of the state.

[@vitalydirkoutsk]

@@Chaldon-hl6yk these are your fantasies Any European state developed as a result of wars and expansion into other countries. For fun, write that the Huns, Arabs and Turks somehow influenced Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Balkans...

[@stephen5119]

Play this at 1.5 speed and learn more in five minutes about Russia than a year full of traditional 'legacy' media treatment of this topic. Well done!

[@mushroomsteve]

I appreciate this analysis and your insights. Here is my take, for what it's worth. Russia doesn't have to live this way. Other countries have faced similar problems and have not turned to dictatorship - and in Russia's case, not just turned to dictatorship, but feels entitled to export it all over the world. As an American, I am sick and tired of Putin's interference in our politics. He has poisoned our social fabric, causing great harm and much resentment towards Russia. So you asked, what can Russia do to escape dictatorship? Or, at least have better relations with other countries? Here are my suggestions: -Trade with your neighbors for goods and services that are difficult to produce domestically. Yes - free and fair trade - not invasion and conquest. -Russia needs access to warm-water ports? Then lease them from other countries. Offer something of value in return for access to their ports, and make a deal. If things go well, further mutually-beneficial arrangements can be made. Instead of conquering the country, why not just work with them so that you both give a little and get a little in return? Other countries can do this. Why can't Russia? -Open your country up to tourism, and treat visitors with kindness and respect. Do not arrest and imprison tourists on bogus charges, such as what your government did to Brittney Griner. Russia is a beautiful country with many lovely regions to explore, and a rich culture. Welcome international travelers to spend money there and learn more about your country, and discover its natural beauty. Currently, in Russia's political climate, no tourist in their right mind would ever set foot in your country. -Get rid of the rampant corruption in your government, which discourages foreign investment. -Seek partnerships with western countries, not their subjugation. -Hold your leaders accountable when they behave like bullies and criminals. Thank you for reading this.

[@mats66]

Most of these points are good suggestions but would only work if the leadership and establishment of the country would support it. Which they don't do because it threatens stability of power.

[@mushroomsteve]

@@mats66 Yes, absolutely! And that's where the "hold your leaders accountable" part comes in. Because without that, you will get the outcome you described. The establishment won't support it because it threatens their hold on power? Too bad! Then it's time for them to go. The Russian people can make it happen, and nobody else can.

[@jonquil3015]

The video explains why these grand ideas are not achievable.

[@mushroomsteve]

@@jonquil3015 The video explained why it is difficult. But it is not impossible. The Russian people just have to choose what future they want for themselves.

[@Usapropaganda-t7h]

@@mushroomsteve Every American accusation is a confession…Have you heard of BRICS? Russia, China, Brazil, Indonesia & South Africa are the chair leads of the currency trading & bloc chain, you should look it up, it’s innovative, humanitarian & diplomatic. Russia doesn’t get along with Western Europe, no one truly does bc they’re arrogant imperialists & colonizers. That world is d€ad. Russia has *many* allies in the Global South. Western Europe & America are only 11% of the World’s population, the Global South is 89% of the population of the world. Many of those countries that the USA & Western Europe mistreated, exploited, and terrorized bc of their abundance of natural resources have applied to join BRICS! So, how is Russia not friendly with its neighbors when Russia has the majority of the world (LITERALLY) as its allies & partners? Western “powers” and their severe warmongering & corruption (also fully supporting a g€nocide isn’t helping) have isolated them all over the world & this has made their economies & governments weak & in collapse. Germany, with pressure & bullying from the US, went against their own citizen's interests & stopped accepting Russia's cheap gas The USA “secured” the cutting of these ties by destroying the Nord Stream pipeline in the Baltic Sea between Russia & Germany. Not very friendly of America, huh? Well, compared to all the illegal wars & covert coups they’ve done all over the world, destroying the pipeline is tame. Unfortunately, Germany is now facing collapse with its government & their economy (closing down Volkswagen factories for the first time in the company’s history), all of this on while they’re fearing winter coming soon. France’s government collapsed today, and the UK is next, so moving along. Even with heavy sanctions from Western nations & the war, Russia became the #1 economic power in Europe this year, increasing its GDP. Europe & USA’s GDP is dismal in comparison to Russia, China & India, whose GDPs are 3-4 times higher than the USA & Europe. My last statement/question bc everything about your comment is factually incorrect & I’m not getting paid to write a quick geopolitical lesson for the present time…but, Have you heard Putin publicly speak, ever? He said he doesn’t want Ukraine, he’s not looking to expand at all. He’s strictly focused on securing Russia's borders. Heard of the Minsk agreement? Look it up, but the gist was that NATO wouldn’t expand their military anywhere near Russia's borders, NATO lied, and they put 100k NATO soldiers on Russia's borders. They’ve been doing this for decades, Putin has been very patient. When NATO antagonized Russia and invited the possibility of making Ukraine a NATO member, while simultaneously militarizing Ukraine, Russia had to take Ukraine. If Russia was placing soldiers/bases in Canada on the American border & militarizing Canadian troops, would America be as patient as Putin has been? Absolutely not. Also, Eastern Ukraine where there’s a large Russian population was being attacked & isolated by the corrupt regime & they actually wanted Putin to “invade” & protect them from the criminal & super n@zi Azov militia regime. It’s so easy to find this info online btw. Jeffery Sachs is a great American professor & government official who can clear up the lies that you’ve been indoctrinated with your entire life. Good luck.

[@ericblainerasmussen8722]

Very educational...great video! Thank you

[@elvirabary]

You’re welcome!

[@johnmcgrath6192]

When Autria took over western Ukraine it exported huge amounts of grain to western Europe, especially France whose population was booming. The peasant farmers benefited from these sales more than their counterparts in Russia. The villages changed from subsistance to excess producers of grain to be sold.

[@GCarty80]

Which may explain why famous 20th-century Ukrainian nationalists came disproportionately from the Austrian-controlled regions of Ukraine.

[@PKowalski2009]

@@GCarty80 It is more about democratic rights in late Austro-Hungary (after 1867?). This was a country with the growing importance of parliamentarism, and with a nascent Ukrainian nationalism, which was then fighting mainly against Polish nationalism (not without manipulation from Vienna). Ukrainians, unlike in Russia, were allowed to cultivate their own culture, establish unions and parties. In interwar Czechoslovakia (Transcarpathia), or Poland (though worse here, due to national tensions and authoritarian rule since 1926), Ukrainians were still allowed to be citizens -- people with political rights, with freedom of association and formation of political parties. That's why, this western Ukraine is a “Ukrainian Piedmont.”

[@PKowalski2009]

Poland was divided between Prussia (later Germany), Austria and Russia. The Prussian part developed best; the Austrian part (i.e., which included western Ukraine) was regarded as extremely poor -- but this was due to freedom of speech, one could point out that it was the poorest part of the Habsburg Empire. Anyway, you rightly write that this period from an economic point of view is a great success story -- Galicia remained the poorest land under Vienna's rule, but came very close to the others. The part under Russian rule was the worst to develop. This was also reflected, for example, in the level of illiteracy -- in the 20th century, in the areas of “German” Poland, everyone knew how to read and write; in “Austrian” Poland, essentially, too (there was some illiteracy, the greater the further east you went; but not much); but in “Russian” Poland, quite a lot. These differences can sometimes still be seen today crossing old borders -- the old houses or towns are richer or poorer, depending on where you go from and to.

[@GCarty80]

@@PKowalski2009 Isn't the part of Poland that was German pre-1914 considerably richer and more liberal than the rest of Poland, perhaps because the Prussians/Germans were far more avid railway-builders than the Austrians or the Russians?

[@SA2004YG]

The Germans were lucky to build on the ruins of Rome, Russia had to start from scratch and work with what it had, different circumstances lead to different results

[@tellit_one3613]

Well done! This is very helpful material!

[@matthewmulkeen]

Very insightful, ignore the ignorant responses. Also, as you alluded to, the pre Soviet Russian state was very autocratic, which hindered in the distribution of political power and development. PS Good luck and I'm happy to be like number 999.

[@Navigator2166]

Very interesting summary. Thank you, Ms. Bary. Very best of luck in Re-establish your primary audience. Basis on this project, I feel you will be more than successful.

[@RobertBeck-pp2ru]

Well spoken. You provide a deeper understanding of the lives of ordinary Russians and why they remain so dependent on the dictatorships that keep them as peasant- status citizens.

[@BeefT-Sq]

“The present state of the world is not proof of philosophy’s impotence, but the proof of philosophy’s power. It is philosophy that has brought men to this state-it is only philosophy that can lead them out. ” -Ayn Rand-

[@Hungarian_subtext]

She just described the medieval feudal system that was common in Europe (besides the harsh weather).

[@stephennelmes4557]

Fascinating video. Thanks.

[@jacopomorganti404]

You have provided a deep and credible analysis.

[@CoreyKat]

Amazing anlysis I empathize with the people more than ever. I was just wathcing an American traveling recently in Omsk. The people have resourses and the solution is always to allow markets to flourish. If leaders could top wasting time and money on selfish goals and focus internally people would be better off. Again its a political solution.

[@barbaricyawper14]

Wonderful insights into Russia's perennial struggles with living under dictatorships. Richard Pipes covered many of your ideas in his 1974 book "Russia Under the Old Regime" and expounded much further on two important failures of "Old Russia" which persist to this day: 1) Landowners, peasants, and serfs had no system of crop rotation to keep lands fertile and productive. Some may had been doing that, but most weren't. They farmed the land to the point of destruction and thus could not guarantee the viability of a national agricultural output to sustain local, national, and international markets. 2) Even as far back as Kievan Rus' princes and rulers did not generally adhere to primogeniture to keep lands and power within the family's stable grasp. While this had been the rule, by and large, in the West for centuries, Kievan rulers would divide lands and responsibilities between all their sons which led to civil strife when the sons fought one another for control. In more peaceful negotiations committees were formed to discuss power and control, but it almost always fell to a central authority to resolve conflict. Peasants and serfs were nowhere near enough the center of power to make any difference. And that hasn't changed in 800 years. "До Бога высоко, до царя далеко, я близко - кланяйся мне низко."

[@charleskolthoff785]

Then along comes Lysenko the soviets(Stalin) answer to increasing agricultural production.

[@martinlugus5499]

An amazingly cogent analysis in only 12 minutes. Extremely well done.

[@martinlitorell3834]

Stupid?

[@martinlugus5499]

@ On the contrary: cogent means - “having a powerful appeal to the mind; compelling; convincing”

[@HomeFromFarAway]

​@@martinlugus5499 thr other commentor is a troll. keeps saying thr same word on a bunch of threads. just report it

[@r0kus]

I'm an American who much appreciated your insight into Russia and the dictatorship cycle.

[@elvirabary]

Thank you!

[@evilroyslade2491]

As a 2010-2011 tourist, I was disappointed in Russia's lack of freedom of speech and the power of the wealthy over ordinary citizens. Everyone I met knew they could disappear or end up in the Gulag if they spoke their opinions too freely.

[@Aryakanta]

And Elon clearly has communicated an affinity for this.

[@777nydia1]

I've just joined your channel Elvira and impressed by your incredibly broad range of expertise, from politics to personality psychology. And you're an accomplished author! Anyway, good luck with your dreams, and thanks for these great videos. I'll work my way thru them. Marty from New Zealand

[@iainhunneybell]

I trust you are out of Russia now and so free to write? A wonderful explanation of the torment of the Russian people. Thank you ❤

[@templecreations2351]

Intelligent analysis of the russian situation, thank you for the effort - liked and commented

[@meofamily4]

There are lots of problems with your analysis, Elvira, but the major one is your unwillingness to take a comparative approach. Once we reach the year -- let us say, 1400 -- the Western European countries begin to enter a struggle between elites, the aristocrats, wealthy merchants, and monarchs contending for power. Russia, by contrast, is still under the "Tatar Yoke" (which you fail to mention at all) until 1480 with the Stand-off on the Ugra. That is, an external power delegated authority and power to its sole representative, and any disagreement with that arrangement meant a destructive raid launched upon the dissenters' lands. An imposed hierarchy. There followed a long period in which the West impinged upon the sovereignty of Russia, once it was independent of the Golden Horde. The Thief of Tushino, for one example. France and England had a Hundred Years' War, Germany suffered under a Thirty Years' War, but neither conflict threatened to make France, England, or Germany into a colony of Poland. Survival of a sovereign Russia required a powerful unified autonomous central power -- the Tsar. That's the usual explanation given, which may be erroneous in detail but has more explanatory power than long winters (Scandinavia is just as cold, and it has democracy: its land is none too fertile, either).

[@user-f5tv8vg8v]

so the scandinavians were the first invaders of russia and at the same time its founders. they already had weapons that surpassed military skill, some semblance of a fleet and goods for trade with greece. in addition, they had access to the sea and more developed neighbors. i can assume that they also had something from natural resources besides forests and fur animals

[@GCarty80]

When the Golden Horde collapsed, the Lithuanians (who were the last pagans in Europe, hardened by battles against genocidal Teutonic crusaders) poured into the resulting power vacuum and got as far east as Mozhaisk (within 100 miles of Moscow), and it was that empire that was subsequently inherited by the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

[@meofamily4]

@@GCarty80 Thank you: the effect of your post is to add corroborative detail to the outline I sketched in my post. After the redoubtable enemies to the East, Russia had almost without a pause to deal with even more dangerous invaders from the West.

[@Leftatalbuquerque]

I grew up on a beef farm in Canada. Thank you for explaining the basics of Russian Society and its evolution (or lack thereof) in a way the history books have not. I get it!

[@georgiesmith6416]

Thank you Elvira. This was very educational. I hope to hear more of your videos.

[@ursrieger1053]

Thank you for your insights! Truly excellent stuff.

[@duncancampbell5761]

Wow. What incredible insight.

[@elvirabary]

Thank you!

[@Ravenmad2000]

Thank you, so much, for your well-delivered explanation. It all makes sense now. Thank you, Elvira.

[@elvirabary]

My pleasure.

[@asmodeus0454]

Interesting account of Russian history and historical insights, Elvira. Keep up the good work.

[@RomanKovbasyuk]

Of Muscovite history, to be sure. She conveniently doesn't mention the colonisation and genocide those who started to call themselves Russian in 18-19th centuries have brought upon the lands they have conquered.

[@laurentjolissaint963]

Many thanks for your explanations. This is very useful to me.

[@cartoons981]

depends on dictator . country can be almost utopia . developed with no internal and political opposition . compared to democractic political system .

[@hubertusvenator5838]

Read 1984 and Animal House. They are dystopian novels that denounce egalitarianism. Collectivism is dogmatic mediocrity. Individualism produced Augustus and Barbarossa, produced excellence.

[@MB-xe8bb]

Benevolent dictatorship. Just like there have been good kings and bad kings. But a dictator system does not get rid of bad dictators easily.

[@hubertusvenator5838]

@@MB-xe8bb Isn't the dictatorship of the majority the worst dictatorship? Isn't democracy the manipulation of the masses, demagoguery, through communications media propaganda and through schooling indoctrination? Hasn't democracy been the most genocidal of all political regimes? How many deaths have been perpetrated in the US via legalised in utero infanticide?

[@AlekVila]

We have to look at success stories. Study them. Talk about them. Celebrate them. Keeping our attention on criminals gives them more power. We don't have to keep drifting into darkness anywhere in the world. We need to reset our compasses and look towards the future we desire. We have too many dystopian myths, and only a few visions of utopia.

[@nicholaskukushin6626]

Sorry, but your point about climate as a cause of dictatorship is wrong. There are many countries where the climate is warm, but they have problems with democracy. For example, Pol Pot built a hard dictatorship in a warm country. Moreover, he created a theory about dictatorship, he said that 16% of soldiers would be enough to establish a total dictatorship. Putin now has 18% of citizens under his power, so he has everything he wants.

[@evelynfakira5612]

Temperate countries are more fertile, pol pot was in a very warm place, nearly as bad as a very cold one for crops. Rice is not as nutritious as wheat either

[@GrooveTasticThang]

This is a wonderful walk through the geography and history of the Russian experience and hence current thinking. Great find - I’ve subscribed

[@Giganfan2k1]

You got a sub and a like. You will go far on this platform.

[@user-vibami]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge freely, 👍

[@elvirabary]

My pleasure!

[@john211murphy]

The real question should be "Why do Americans want to live in a Dictatorship"?

[@TeaParty1776]

many Americans hate the focused mind

[@russmitchellmovement]

Not everything is about how you hate American politics, John. There's an actual WORLD outside of the American media bubble. Try learning something about it.

[@john211murphy]

@@russmitchellmovement When the world was about to be overwhelmed by the Fascist empires, the USA provided the arms and soldiers to defeat them. Now, Fascism is overwhelming the USA, the most powerful, most heavenly arm and the richest country in history. Try Learning that.

[@herchelleonwood7463]

their to brainwashed to admit or recognize maga as a dictatorship, its like the dumbest humans ever have decided they are experts on everything because they read it on facebook and will fight to the death with any one that disagree's with them. dietrich Bonhoeffer's theory of stupidity from 1943 nails it..kzbin.info/www/bejne/raiXaJWIbZuqicU

[@herchelleonwood7463]

@@russmitchellmovement have you ever opened a book besides mein kempf ?

[@dreadogastusf3548]

Curiosity leads me to many places. I have sometimes wondered why the vast Russian nation has been mired in its problems for centuries. Thank you, Ms. Bary, for a good overview of Russian history & society. Perhaps the cold lands of Russia may benefit from a warmer climate. It would be poetic justice it seems to me. *Subscribed*

[@wjockusch]

Dictatorships that were beaten in war have sometimes turned to Democracy. Defeat makes the State weaker and poorer. It also looks stupid in the eyes of the people. Whether this will work in Russia I don't know.

[@TomasFunes-rt8rd]

Wait on, fool, Russia isn't losing the war !

[@kenofken9458]

@@TomasFunes-rt8rd It ain't winning either.

[@antored_sick]

@@kenofken9458 bro you are going to be the Afghanistan of Europe with a dying economy a country that will never be rebuilt

[@antored_sick]

@@kenofken9458 capturing land per day I don't know if this is not winning

[@kenofken9458]

@@antored_sick Russia has all the economic vibrancy of Zimbabwe right about now.

[@macklewis4882]

This is a great resource, thank you!

[@elvirabary]

You're very welcome!

[@DSAK55]

the answer is 500 years of feudalism

[@AveragepoliticsEnjoyer]

India also had 1000 years of feudalism 😗😗

[@aphextwin5712]

@@AveragepoliticsEnjoyerThough being a British colony did shake things up somewhat.

[@AveragepoliticsEnjoyer]

@@aphextwin5712 Europe also had feudalism nobody colonized them maybe they looked at others realised how bs their system is.

[@aphextwin5712]

@@AveragepoliticsEnjoyer There almost certainly isn’t only a single reason why countries move from feudalism to democracy. One common theory is that as people grow richer they have the bandwidth and motivation to demand participation. Another reason might be a national liberation movement against a “foreign” ruler. This could have been an important factor in the creation of India’s democracy. But doesn’t mean it has to be a necessary or sufficient factor.

[@n.5184]

The question is how to break the cycle

[@connecticutaggie]

Thanks for the explanation. It is so hard to get out of dependency traps like this (at least in mass). It is also hard because those that are resourceful enough to escape the trap either move into power or leave the county thus depriving the community of the innovation they need.

[@_PlusUltra]

Translate your books to English and self-publish them on Kindle, many people self-publish these days.

[@elvirabary]

Some of my books have already been translated into English and are ready for publication, but I need an audience to ensure strong sales in the first couple of weeks. Without that initial push, they will go unnoticed. However, if I can attract readers who are genuinely interested, ready to buy, and willing to leave reviews, Amazon's algorithm will help boost my novels' visibility.

[@marcusappelberg369]

@@elvirabary What are your books about? :) I am Swedish but I happily read in English.

[@samuelarduino]

Very nice presentation, please elaborate more on the differences with neighboring artic countries, why did they take a democratic path, while climateconditions and poverty were as deplorable. What about the drinking culture and familyvalues? Your ratio of views and comments is very high! so you chose a debate evoking topic! WELL DONE❤

[@Abrakadara-532]

There is a Russian proverb: "The severity of Russian laws is compensated by the non-binding nature of their implementation". Russia is vast and all the countless requirements are often hard to enforce at full extent. While Western Europe developed a culture of prostest and public politics, Russia developed a culture of sabotage and legal nihilism. Because the only way to deal with arbitrary and unjust rules is to seek loopholes or simply to break them if you have good chances to stay unpunished. That vastly differs Russia from The West with its almost religious cult of law. In Russia law is often viewed as a nuissance. As result Russian don't protest openly but do everything they can to avoid, evade or sabotage. E.G. Russia has a long tradition of draft dodging (conscription evasion). Many Russian think that matters of war and peace are not ther business so the state can wage wars but they will not participate in them. On the other hand, people who actually join the army and go to war WILLINGLY usually come from the poorest regions. These people are so desperate that they're willing to both kill people and risk their own lives just in exchange for money they would never earn on civilian jobs.

[@ВасилийНезнамнов]

Где же это было... Не помню... Начальствующий хочет заслуженно наказать подвластных и говорит: -- Ну и как же вас судить? По закону или по справедливости? -- Помилуй, батюшка! Давай по справедливости! Т.е., у справедливости есть место пониманию, милосердию. У закона -- нет.

[@Abrakadara-532]

@@ВасилийНезнамнов Диалектика "закона" и "благодати", имеющая очень древние религиозно-культурные корни. Именно по её причине русская "духовность" и "душевность" сочетается с довольно безобразными явлениями вроде повального воровства. А ещё снисходительное "не судите, да не судимы будете". Так уж повелось, что русская культура так глубоко впитала Евангелие, что даже атеисты всё равно часто исходят из евангельских этических ориентиров. А эти ориентиры, мягко говоря, не легистские. Господь на кресте умер, апостолов казнили, первые христиане были гонимы и подвергались преследованиям со стороны римских властей. И эти нарративы очень хорошо ложатся на русскую тиранию и русское бесправие. И получается куда более "левацкая" интерпретация христианства, чем у католиков и протестантов.

[@ВасилийНезнамнов]

@@Abrakadara-532 у вас настолько дикие взгляды, что даже и оспаривать их не вижу смысла.

[@stevemorin8206]

In my opinion, formed from a cold war child's perspective, excellent presentation. Thanks for the thoughts to ponder and help to understand the world better.

[@tekpic04]

Very interesting talk on Russian history and I see many similarities with the UK.

[@elvirabary]

Thank you!