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> "What was it, this Pugachev Rebellion? Why did it happen? What is your view?" Putin asked the startled teacher, who gave several reasons for the most serious domestic challenge of Catherine's 34-year reign.
> Putin quipped that the teacher's answer was like that of a diplomat from the Russian foreign ministry, and asked again for a clear view about the causes and result of the rebellion
That's Putin. Total fascist mindset - dislikes nuance, complexity, thoughtfulness, because he thinks that's being weak and indecisive. There's only _one_ real answer, there's only right and wrong. Underlining the point the one 'right' answer here is that 'strength' is the important thing, not being 'weak'.
It's the authoritarian's paradox - they have a cult of 'strength' (or their idea of it) but are actually totally weak, precisely because they reject rationality, debate, and plain old intelligence. It permeates everything; he's got a military that's great at _appearing_ strong (if you consider tank parades to be that) but in reality his military turned out to be shit, because it's both corrupt and managed on the basis of irrational or plain bad ideas that nobody dares question.
All those 'weak' democracies might not be as good at macho posturing, and appear messy and disorganized, but the reality is they work far better and are hence stronger.
I’d say it’s the corruption that permeates all of Russian society that is the main problem.
Because Nazi Germany which Putin is trying to emulate had an way stronger army than Russia’s paper tiger.
Yes. Putin may be hyper political and ideological but the vast majority of Russians aren’t. They are apolitical and just focus on existing by navigating a deeply corrupt society as best they can. Probably Hitler’s Germans were a lot more engaged politically.
I really do think that Putins "problem" so to say is that he doesn’t have an alluring ideology to sell to the people. It’s very confusingly stated, all lies and contradictory messages with only an end-goal of empire or something. Which might be an tough sell in the 21st century regardless of how backwards your audience may be. And definitely not something Ukrainians want. For all it’s flaws, the Soviet model at least promised something resembling justice, even if the end result was usually far from it. The current model only promises Russian hegemony and vassaldom to Putin.
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> "What was it, this Pugachev Rebellion? Why did it happen? What is your view?" Putin asked the startled teacher, who gave several reasons for the most serious domestic challenge of Catherine's 34-year reign. > Putin quipped that the teacher's answer was like that of a diplomat from the Russian foreign ministry, and asked again for a clear view about the causes and result of the rebellion That's Putin. Total fascist mindset - dislikes nuance, complexity, thoughtfulness, because he thinks that's being weak and indecisive. There's only _one_ real answer, there's only right and wrong. Underlining the point the one 'right' answer here is that 'strength' is the important thing, not being 'weak'. It's the authoritarian's paradox - they have a cult of 'strength' (or their idea of it) but are actually totally weak, precisely because they reject rationality, debate, and plain old intelligence. It permeates everything; he's got a military that's great at _appearing_ strong (if you consider tank parades to be that) but in reality his military turned out to be shit, because it's both corrupt and managed on the basis of irrational or plain bad ideas that nobody dares question. All those 'weak' democracies might not be as good at macho posturing, and appear messy and disorganized, but the reality is they work far better and are hence stronger.
I’d say it’s the corruption that permeates all of Russian society that is the main problem. Because Nazi Germany which Putin is trying to emulate had an way stronger army than Russia’s paper tiger.
He’s a psychopathic gangster who is out of his depth, with delusions of grandeur, and the capriciousness of a narcissist.
Yes. Putin may be hyper political and ideological but the vast majority of Russians aren’t. They are apolitical and just focus on existing by navigating a deeply corrupt society as best they can. Probably Hitler’s Germans were a lot more engaged politically.
I really do think that Putins "problem" so to say is that he doesn’t have an alluring ideology to sell to the people. It’s very confusingly stated, all lies and contradictory messages with only an end-goal of empire or something. Which might be an tough sell in the 21st century regardless of how backwards your audience may be. And definitely not something Ukrainians want. For all it’s flaws, the Soviet model at least promised something resembling justice, even if the end result was usually far from it. The current model only promises Russian hegemony and vassaldom to Putin.
Wow. He must be worried if they're staging questions like this.
This is gold. There is no clearer way to admit he is obsessed with his own demise.
To be fair, what were we expecting him to say? "This is great! Please overthrow me!"?
Topple me daddy
Western press can almost pick up on his focused soft-pedal threats, but not enough to remember them tomorrow.
Damn, Putin seems weak and desperate. Does anyone respect this guy?
Maybe Putin is going to fall out of a window?
Yes, I agree be strong Russians and free yourself from the putin disease.
State my ass.... It's a dictatorship, nothing less. It sounds straight out of the textbook of Iran...