(sorry for my English. I'm a Russian and use your language not so frequently)

Wow! I see there is some positive publications about my country and goverment. That is strange, because i oftenly see a large stream of USA propoganda on your issues...
I can say one thing about all this - i like Putin and his deeds. I acknowledge there is some big problems in Russia, but we are not anymore in big ЖОПЕ like 90'

Love and Peace to you ^_^

Wizary, Belorechensk, Russia

Quote: "We were in Russia during the Labor Day holiday, and while our observations were colored by our tour guides and our limited contact with 'real Russians' it was obvious that the 'real Russians' had a real fear."
Mr Ditkowsky, I have been in Moscow on my own, many times, and I have talked with russian people (in their own language, no in-between), in Moscow and where I live . It was never obvious at all that they had "a real fear" (besides the fear to come back to the 90es) . Last time, a month ago, when they heard that i went 1st time in Russia in 1995, they just said "oh, the times of the full mess..." . They were not "apparatchiks" of United Russia, they worked in health service, they were on holydays, and we were miles away from any other russian speaking persons, let alone embassies or other suspected places...Yes, 1995, the times of good old democratic Eltsin...Get the picture ?

Leonard, Alghero,

Wonder or not, they have a right to like him if they like. I completely agree with the reader, who wrote in comment: "leave the Russians alone". Whole western critic seems to express the feeling of inconvenience due to improved Russian economy and its independence of the USA -circle. Maybe justified, we will see in the future, but as long as Russia haven`t done anything wrong to western democracies, it can`t be haunted.
And for person, who shared his opinion on Russia after a trip- would you be so kind and visit my country next Labour Day? I think, the policy of my country also need such deep insight.

dora, Poland,

At first, sorry for my English.

The very ridiculousness is in the phrase “Vladimir Putin's victory in the Duma elections”. I mean, I have no claims to the author. He’s rather right.
Actually the biggest part of Putin’s voters are the people who aren’t interested in politics at all. The main reason of Russia’s well-being today is the oil’s price. But those people rather believe in a Great Tzar Putin than in objective reasons. It’s 8-year brainwashing.
Really it’s quite hard to find a man who likes UR (and supporters of Putin-UR are minority on Russian political forums). And I’m quite surprised watching here so many good comments about Putin-UR. Usually UR just pester everyone with its idiotic propaganda.
Certainly Russia has more money but what’s about qualitative achievements... Personally I can’t exactly say whether Putin and UR have done something good for Russia or not (unfortunately I’m not a specialist in politics).
But I assure you their position irritates many Russians.

Alexander, Tver, Russia

Hi, all! I think all people in the World brothers & sisters. We all want live without war. We all want live better than now. We all want live in harmony with each other.
In our history there is an interesting fact which has occured in 1242 A.D. Simple Russian people are always adjusted friendly, but "Who with a sword to us will come, that from this sword and will be lost!" Alexander Nevskiy.

Nick, Tyumen, RUSSIA

Hy, guys!
Just relax, right? Russia just wants a little bit of calm after the turmoil of 20th century. People are really exhausted here, fight for Britan is just a small portion compared to what we've got. All the people here want is a rest. So don't drive us into the corner.
Has Russia ever invaded UK? - No. What's the worry?
Has UK invaded Russia? Oh, yes, and not once.
So eat your porridge, and let me watch monthy python, not hate you gents. Just give us some time.
We will not be enemies, unless you choose us to be!

Sergus, Yuzhno, Russia

article is designed for western way of thinking. it is too simple and a bit narcissed.
we, in russia like more complex articles.
by the way, in Algere about 1 million people were killed. Check it out.
Putin is not a GGB agent, but simply a national leader. Not all of voted for him like him, but his way is most balanced and rational.
Kasparov..etc.. are mad, noisy diletants with simplest, booklet "ideas" of formal democracy, exported from CIA to bears in the Zoo. Too stupid and irrational for most of russians. :) But 1-2 percents of veery young west-oriented kids sometimes support him between grass inhalation :)
Some guy said here - he is afraid of publishing his mail...ho-ho-ho! Russia has millions of interner user - this is really ordinal to have internet, and have full access to any world resource. This paranoidal guy is mad. Pls discover russia to have a knowledge about us, before posting your revelatory comments.
Good bye and good luck.
Alex. Moscow.

alex, Moscow, Russia

The Hitler comparisons are out of place. It is sad that people let Russophobia and Xenophobia influence their views. In 1986 Qaddafi was the "New Hitler" according to the West. In 1991 it was Saddam Hussein. Throughout the 1990s the title changed hands from Milosevic to Karadzic to Kim Jong Il. More recently it has been attributed to Mahmud Ahmadinejad. Putin is not Hitler. And Russia is not Nazi Germany. Hitler began his political career with "Mein Kampf" where he described his dream for a Radical Nationalist Racist Xenophobic Ideology that would conquer the World. There is no analogous book written by Putin or similar ideology. Putin has reached out the hand of friendship in the past and had it mauled by greedy self serving back stabbing "Westerners" who have decided they are the "true leaders" of the World and every other nation must grovel at their feet. Putin's actions are reactions to offensive and hostile behaviour of outside forces. Russian Presidential Elections in March 2008.

Dimitry Pozharsky, Kiev, Ukraine

Oh God, people why you just can't stop to be so idiotic, then you talk of even think about Russia? All that good old Cold war attributes - KGB, totalitarism, vodka-matreshka-balalayka.
Why just you can’t leave as alone? Mind your own business. Seriously, I am beginning to think that we live on different planets - Russia on one and EU and USA with all of their satellites on another. We, Russians, who live in real Russia everyday, and you, who live in some kind of Fleming’s or Clancy’s pulp fiction with all that spy-stories, assassinations 3rd World War.
As for assassinations of Politkovskaya and Litvinenko - if you are all so true to the principles of "Democracy" and all of it's institutes, you must aware of such thing as " Presumption of innocence". I know that this is not popular thing in modern western world, where one country, such as USA, can freely take an acts of military aggression on other countries just because it can do so, but can you at 100% prove that it was Russian government behind this assassinations? If not, then save your accusations please.

Sergey Dumov, Moscow, Russia

Finally, a truthful article about Russia.
Thank you!

With besy regards,
Alexey

Alexey, Novosibirsk, Russia

It is ridiculous to hear some folks with their eyes wide shut compare Putin to Hitler! U'd better keep your eyes peeled for the elite school where Youshchenko's kid goes in the very Ukraine democratized à la "orange" where they teach Nazism and propose the kids find 64 advantages of living in a faschist state! Shame on you!

Serguei, Moscow, Russia

JS, the antisemitism is not a "privilege" of modern (or less modern) Russia, nor of pre-war Germany . Henry Ford knew something about that, you know (and I have read something about Benjamin Franklin too...)...

Leonard, Alghero,

Sergey Pavlov - as for us narrow-minded comparers- it's so easy to find parallels using your list 1. anti-parliamentarianism, 2. a racially-defined and conspiratorial view of finance capitalism,- the Jewish oligarchs stole all of Russia's wealth, (and Putin only has his salary?), 3. severe opposition to economic and demoratic liberalism and pluralism, (especially in the vital energy field) and 4. manipulation of the democratic process - if Putin is so popular why did he to got all that trouble to rig the elections?
BUT my point was not to compare Hitler and Putin per se but that the list of reasons given by Stone sound so similar to the ones given in the 1930s about Hitler - so reasonable sounding that they covered up what was the most compelling and ultimately disasterous force for mass support of Hitler and that was his finding the real reason for all of German society's problems - the Jews of course.

js, london,

Then the neocons (Bush and CO) prolongs these traditions of reprobate greed. The US history already had the democratic consensus of the southern society about usage of the slaves (US freedom of the moral monsters). They couldn't be the decent people if had private concentration camp with stolen by terrain. They showed, only immoral degradation for personal prosperity and health allowed to possess the slaves and to capture ground. Do you know about as they don't want of resurgent Great Russia? It's clear that the sweet dream of a strategic partnership was is despite evidence of guilt about the Yeltsin era. They perceives the independence, as absence of the mutual obligations for a possibility of secund usage other peoples. They can conduct referendum about the consent to plunder, but the judgement of a potential victim of despoilment is most interesting.

Sergey, St.-Petersburg, Russia

Then the neocons (Bush and CO) prolongs these traditions of reprobate greed. The US history already had the democratic consensus of the southern society concerning usage of the slaves (US freedom of the moral monsters). They couldn't be the decent people if had private concentration camp with stolen by terrain. They showed, only immoral degradation for personal prosperity and health allowed to possess the slaves and to capture ground. Do you know about as they don't want of resurgent Great Russia? It's clear that the sweet dream of a strategic partnership was is despite evidence of guilt about the Yeltsin era. They perceives the independence, as absence of the mutual obligations for a possibility of secund usage other peoples. They can conduct referendum about the consent to plunder, but the judgement of a potential victim of despoilment is most interesting.

Sergey, St.-Petersburg, Russia

Sergey Pavlov - as for us narrow-minded comparers- it's so easy to find parallels using your list 1. anti-parliamentarianism, 2. a racially-defined and conspiratorial view of finance capitalism,- the Jewish oligarchs stole all of Russia's wealth, (and Putin only has his salary?), 3. severe opposition to economic and demoratic liberalism and pluralism, (especially in the vital energy field) and 4. manipulation of the democratic process - if Putin is so popular why did he to got all that trouble to rig the elections?
BUT my point was not to compare Hitler and Putin per se but that the list of reasons given by Stone sound so similar to the ones given in the 1930s about Hitler - so reasonable sounding that they covered up what was the most compelling and ultimately disasterous force for mass support of Hitler and that was his finding the real reason for all of German society's problems - the Jews of course.

js, london,

I can understand it is easy to believe in what is said in the article for western people (who tend to believe without think).

I beleive author is sincere (in his mistake). Parallels to de Gaulle is ridiculous ...

But Russians living here (especially who can read and write English) would never agree. Those who signed as Russians here saying "yes, I agree, this is true" is KGB. Yes, they have vast staff for writing in blogs etc. on internal and foreign sites, it is not a joke.

And yes, I'm a quite afraid writing this, since I have to put my email, and if they want they CAN find me (yes, before this text will get to UK, it will go through russian wires), paranoia? your take.

Max, Russian town, Rusland

Thank you Mr. Stone. I have realized now that there are some adequate points of view about our elections in the west.

Andrew, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

Sorry Sergey, which of the definitions of Nazism do you think are absent in today's Russia? Members of parliament make anti-semitic speeches in the duma, Companies that don't toe the Kremlin line are victimised by the authorities. And countries that stifle the media, restrict democracy and freedom of speech are, by definition, totalitarian.

Mr Stone joins the list of shame of Western commentators who seem to pop up to find excuses for the the biggest dictators and abusers of power, from Hitler to Stalin to Saddam Hussein and Chavez. In this piece he even has the nerve to invoke the Moscow theatre siege and the Beslan massacre in support of his pro-Putin position, despite the culpability of the Russian security forces for large numbers of deaths in both cases. Indeed in the case of the Moscow theatre debacle nearly all the deaths were the result of the gas attack launched by those forces.

Glenn Richer, Cambridge, UK

From an ivory tower in Oxford we are treated here to an astonishing piece of literary fiction in the grand tradition of Sidney and Beatrice Webb.

Peter, London,

It is obviously the Law is indispensable thing for the Democracy. Those two opposition parties in Russia, which introduce proudly themselves as democrats, possessing a big authority in the country in the beginning of 90th demolished the Law and created splendid conditions for the world-wide known Russian criminal revolution, have been blaming Putin during last eight years.

I think Russians still have to go a long way achieving the Democracy however they are on the path to the one.

Alexey, Auckland, New Zealand

To anyone who likes to compare Putin to Hitler: please, read carefully the "Nazism" article at any encyclopedia and try to find any parallels.

From Wikipedia: "Among the key elements of Nazism were anti-parliamentarism, ethnic nationalism, racism, collectivism, eugenics, antisemitism, opposition to economic liberalism and political liberalism, a racially-defined and conspiratorial view of finance capitalism, anti-communism, and totalitarianism"

I can see some dislike for political liberalism from officials, but it is within legal landscape. No other feature can be applicable for Putin's Russia. At the same time, Russia has strong internal orientation to economics rather than ideological & territorial expansion.

So, please, stop you narrow-minded comparison and open you eyes and minds.

P.S. I vote for opposition to Putin because I believe that rigid & weak political system will weaken the economic growth in long-term.

Sergey Pavlov, Moscow, Russia

You rarely see such calm and sober thought on the subject expressed in English. Much more common are paranoid, American, if I may say so, screaming about defeat of democracy (read "we tried to stir up a revolution and they dare to bulk") and dictatorship. I'm surprised to have read this in a British paper.

Pavel, San Francisco, CA, US

Russia doesn't bomb countries continents away, the U.S. does and if a comparison is to be made, then the neocons are our present-day nazis.

They have no regard to human life and only want to expand their territory and reach over oil and gas field and pipelines. They see Putin and Russia as an obstacle.

Kudos to the Russian people for helping restore balance to the world by having Putin, who is not only their de Gaulle but also their Reagan, as their leader.

deb wolfe, miami, fl

I am slightly envious of Russia for having such a capable and strong leader as Putin. Russia is a proud and strong country with a leader who has vision and is not afraid to make tough decisions.

Mabon Dane, Haverhill, UK

Whatever happened to Russian choral folk music? My Lithuanian grandmother, despite having been evicted from her farm by Cossacks, had a an old cracked record of the Soviet Army Ensemble singing Russian folk songs. The tears rolled down her cheeks whenever she listened to them. Where have they gone?

Edmund Burke, Kingston upon Thames, England

Had Putin allowed the oligarchs, Khodorovsky, Berezovsky, Guzinsky, to continue dismantling Russia's wealth and sell it to cronies, and funnel billions of rubles into Swiss bank accounts, he'd still be a hero to the West, New York, London, Tel Aviv.

But the Russians have caught on to the looting game, and they have a leader to deal with the looters, the Western financed jackals, and the future of Russia. And all the whingeing from Western hypocrites about "democracy" will not alter this essential fact.

The bought and paid for jackals scavenging for funds via Western ngos tried but failed at a Cabbage Revolution. Why? Because the Russia won't have it. End of story.

Too bad, so sad.

Thrasyboulos, Vancouver, Canada,

no wonder they liked Hitler - saved Germany from the chaos of the Weimar republic, from the humiliation of Versailles, built the autobahns (better than any in Surrey), got industry working and saved Germany from the democratic mess of France

js, london,

Now there is political practice when reprisals against accomplices of Nazis to interprete as crime, so similar de Gaulle's of policy the reprisals against collaborators, but revision of World War II is real crime. Tartars as absolute majority Turkic peoples of Russia were parts of Cossacks (Bashkir visit Paris in 1812) historical choice of peoples was uniquel expressed at heroic protection of multicultural Great Russia (hadn’t of segregation-discrimination). Polyethnic rights can be better defended in Great polyethnic state. But egoism of many nationalists historically is afraid of Great Russia. Many countries saves patriarchal traditions and feudal prejudices, as example British monarchy, people can vote as vast estate-owners. But if only history of south states hadn't real aristocracy and nobiliary ethics, so souther latifundists couldn't to had honour and nobleness. Feudal mister could head guerrillas of peasants, but latifundists couldn't head guerrillas of slaves. Right to combat was honour giving the right to dominate above the peasants. Feudal mister was promoter of peasants and he should shadow their rights on behalf of king, but master was only scorned master of slaves. They showed immoral degradation to have private concentration camp with stolen by terrain.

Sergey_S, St-Petersburg, Russia

Now there is political practice when reprisals against accomplices of Nazis to interprete as crime, so similar de Gaulle's of policy the reprisals against collaborators, but revision of World War II is real crime. Tartars as absolute majority Turkic peoples of Russia were parts of Cossacks (Bashkir visit Paris in 1812) historical choice of peoples was uniquel expressed at heroic protection of multicultural Great Russia (hadn’t of segregation-discrimination). Polyethnic rights can be better defended in Great polyethnic state. But egoism of many nationalists historically is afraid of Great Russia. Many countries saves patriarchal traditions and feudal prejudices, as example British monarchy, people can vote as vast estate-owners. But if only history of south states hadn't real aristocracy and nobiliary ethics, so souther latifundists couldn't to had honour and nobleness. Feudal mister could head guerrillas of peasants, but latifundists couldn't head guerrillas of slaves. Right to combat was honour giving the right to dominate above the peasants. Feudal mister was promoter of peasants and he should shadow their rights on behalf of king, but master was only scorned master of slaves. They showed immoral degradation to have private concentration camp with stolen by terrain.

Sergey, St-Petersburg, Russia

Russia's birth rate is not at the replacement level. It is at around 1.3-1.4 children per woman, far below the 2.1 needed to replace the population.

Marc, Alexandria, USA

Mr. Stone:
I applaud to your attempt to present the picture of Russian elections in more objective and truthful way. I feel the hand of serious researcher, not a biased journalist who never seriously studied Russian history and culture.
It was also very interesting to read the comments to your article. Commentators from Russia and/or with Russian names typically praised the article, while those who never been in Russia or visited it once were screaming in anger and make absolutely invalid parallels.
Ladies and gentlemen, democracy and elections should serve first of all to Russians and not to their "western good-wishers" and I am glad that Russian people understand that.
Dr. Alexandre Strokanov,
Professor of History.
USA

Alexandre Strokanov, Saint Johnsbury, USA, Vermont

I've just returned back to the UK from my short trip to Moscow - to see my friends and parents and to cast my vote too - having not been there for several months. Even after such a short absence I must admit I was surprised most of all by the people who are getting more and more confident, calm and generous. They seem to understand what's going on with Mr.Putin and the "elections" but they can't see any better alternative to it. Being westernized by the US recipe of the 90s led to its imminent failure. Let them (rather, us) build Russia to suit own needs and not the Anglo-Saxon expectations. Do not please take us for the fools who will allow our country to slide back to dictatorship - Russia seem to be immunized from that forever.

Mikhail, London, UK

Mr. Stone:
I applaud to your attempt to present the picture of Russian elections in more objective and truthful way. I feel the hand of serious researcher, not a biased journalist who never studied Russian history and culture. It was also very interesting to read the comments to your article. Commentators from Russia and/or with Russian names typically praised the article, while those who never been in Russia or visited it once screaming in anger and make absolutely invalid parallels. Ladies and gentlemen, democracy and elections should serve first of all to Russians and not to their "western good-wishers" and I am glad that Russian people understand that.

Alexandre Strokanov, Saint Johnsbury, USA, Vermont

Yes leave Russia alone. If it wasnt for the russians we would all be speaking german now ( thats if we where spared the gas chambers ). Clean your own backyard first, and when all is perfect at home then only then you might have some rights to interfere in other peoples business. 100 years ago most of the colonial powers tried to enslave the new socialist state of the Soviet Union by attacking on all fronts and they failed. Anyone who tried to bring down Russia failed. Russia will survive and rise and will keep rising.

Dantisimus, Split, Croatia

The maximum amount of unfair votes for Putin's party is 1%. Look at exit polls or surveys made before the election by different agencies. Although article is slightly pro-Russian it is accurate in key moments. Putin is popular simply because he does what people want to see and says what people want to hear and this is the first thing western politicians and press should understand.

Dmitry, Moscow, Russia

Am I the only one who can see thru Putin’s game plan. 1. Pretend that you are not a super power. 2. Arm the Muslims with nuclear bombs so that they can annihilate Europe. 3. Then like his hero Stalin anticipating a German vs. Allied pyrrich victory hope to secure the spoils of an Islamic war against the West.

Germans watch out. You turned against America your only protector. You will need them again one day.

Akbar, Cambridge, U.K

Stone fits into the western tradition of intellectuals, right or left, who find comfort in a 'strong man' abroad (Hitler, Stailn, Franco) - besides the trains run on time, people are getting enough to eat, they are not like us, too excitable, liberty doesnt work in those latitudes.

As for Putin not being popular with jorunalists - no, I suppose not, as he or his friends have murdered rather a lot of them. Like Anna Politkovskaya. In memory of that brave woman, who certainly did not think liberty or law were trifles that Russians are not worthy of, let us not let the Stones of this world, natural allies of authoritarians everywhere, go unchallenged.

julia, london,

I agree, this article could have been written about 1930s Germany and some of the arguments here are quite ridiculous.
Yes, Putin is popular in Russia, but it is the outcome of years and years of brainwash. Everything you see, read or listen in Russia never criticizes Putin (it is forbidden). People who have dared to do that, are dead now or in a great danger of being eliminated by KGB.
But in fact not all the people in Russia adore him, but Mr. Stone seems to think that 99% popularity in Chechnya during recent elections is a normal result. On the contrary, these elections were not free and democratic.
Putin even has his own so called "Hitler Jugend". It's a vast youth organization "наши", that is used on demonstrations etc.

"Vladimir Putin has saved Russia from the turmoil of Ukraine or Georgia" - if turmoil = democracy, then I have to agree, Putin indeed has saved russia from it.

Marko, Tallinn,

"ballot-stuffing, or intimidation in workplaces [...] No doubt there are elements of truth in this." Elements of truth... Mr. Stone please wake up. There is no point telling us that Russians or Chinese don't need democracy and they are happy with a tough guy as their leader. That they don't know anything else doesn't mean this situation is commendable and that's the way it should be. They do deserve some normalcy after all.

Michal Lason, Mumbai, India

Without going into the details whether Putin’s Russia is democratic or not, I would like to ask Dr David Green commenting from Greece one question. How does Greece, an EU member, fare in terms of democracy with its official denial of all other ethnic minorities living in Greece except the Turkish, and its long established, and if I am not mistaken still continuing policy to have religious affiliation displayed on ID’s? To mention just a few of the numerous xenophobic and undemocratic government practices.

Kostake Milkov , Oxford , UK

Can you please leave Russia and Russian people alone. Cold war has finished, but the propaganda against Russia is still on and on....
Thank you Mr Norman Stone for your article, very rare I can read something not absolutely negative about Russia and Putin.
I think recent election should give ideas what and who russians support.
Please don't compare Putin to Hitler....
In today's world all contries are volnureble to terrorism....

Natallia Smillie, London, UK

to Dr David Green, Athens, Greece
" it is said, brought back national self-respect to the German peoples but once in power chose never to surrender it. Putinesque?"
_____Oh, yeah, the leader which tries to revive the national self-respect is potential danger!.. Small wonder now, after such comments from Greece, that Turks had taken what they claimed so easily and go on to push.
Good lesson for everyone.
Ok, Dr. Green, stay in your cozy arm-chair, without national self-respect, without self-respect and without respect.

oleg, moscow, russia

The only unbiased article on elections and situation in Russia I have read in months if not in years in western press. Many thanks Mr Stone.

Galina Alexander, Surbiton, UK

Beslan happened in the fifth year of President Putin's term. The Moscow theatre siege in the third. If he couldn't prevent them then, he couldn't prevent them now.

He has created a pause in the power struggles in the corridors of power, and people who think politicians are more important than people interpret that as stability. His reign has coincided with a preiod of lower (but still high) inflation, and the era of the Stabilisation Fund, so for people on the ground things are indeed better – and being Russian, they thank God and the Csar for that. But the fund is now part of the turf war surrounding his succession, and Russia is a vulnerable today to external events such as terrorism or inflation as it ever was.

Ian Kemmish, Biggleswade, UK

Mr. Stone's article could have been written with more or less the same wording about 1930s Germany.... Substitute pre-Putin Russia with the Weimar Republic and its woes and you are there. But then again, there were plenty of sympathies for Mr. Hitler OUTSIDE Germany then as well. Not a single word is said about the silencing of independent media, the crippling of any real opposition or the obstacles put in the way of any objective election monitoring. It is a shame that someone who does not have to be afraid of censorship or repression is not using his position to paint a somewhat more nuanced image but is blatantly spreading Putin's own propaganda.... - but then again, so did many in the 1930s...

Adrian, London, UK

Very disappointing that Norman Stone is seeing post-soviet independent states as ''russian backyard''. Can't those countries do what they consider best for their national interests and join whatever organisations they think will best protect their interests ? It is similar to denying the right of Irish Republic, Canada or USA to have a choice in forreign affairs on the grounds, that they are just ''british backyard''. And after all present independence of foreign policy of some countries as legitimate excuse for KGB domination?

Alex Grigorovich, Minsk, Belarus

The core of this article is illogical. Just because someone is democratically elected doesn't mean we have to approve. After all, we don't even approve of our own leaders if we voted for the other guy. And apparently no-one in England approves of Bush, even though he did win the last election. So why should Putin get off lightly?

William McIlhagga, Ilkley,

If you had been told that you would lose your job if you didn't vote for Putin, as millions of ordinary Russians were, would you be as thrilled as the author by the new Russia?
No mention here either of the vote scanners placed on bulletin boxes, the promises that votes could be traced and voters held accountable, and all the other underhand tricks employed to crush and intimidate.
Can anyone with knowledge of the region really pretend that this systematic falsification is not an important factor in guaranteeing loyalty to the regime?
Apologists for this sort of authoritarianism offer a slap in the face to people fighting for human rights and democracy all over the world.

In contrast, here in Ukraine we are witnessing the emergence of the largest democracy in Eastern Europe, with three free and fair elections in the past three years, and a lively political debate dominating the newly freed up national media. That, according to the author, is turmoil. Amazing.

Peter Dickinson, Kiev, Ukraine

Putin, a saviour of Russia?!!! Elections in Russia - a step towards democracy?!! I very much doubt it and agree with the commentator who made reference to the elction of Hitler in 1933. Hopefully he (Putin) will be perfectly content of being "Czar" and will not plan a further "international career", because if that's to be, I am afraid, the history of 1945 will repeat itself.

Dovile, Belfast,

I fully agree with Norman Stones analysis. I also find it outrageous that New Labour with its 30% support rate and its crooked bribed officials dare lecture Russia on elections

Let us not forget the UK uses the discredited First past teh post system that institutionalises the two party system and that teh USA had the fraudulent election which brought Bush junir to power

With all the corruption, gerrymandering , vote rigging and vote buying in the West to complain about Russia is nauseating hypocrisy

Pity we cant have our own Putin rather than Gordon ( Countdown) Brown and oily tics Blair and Cameron

Paul Taylor, London, UK

What a relief at last - an accurate , open account of political realities in Russia. The people WANT Putin. he has brought peace, stability, prosperity and things are improving every day for normal people, and they want more of the same. yes there's more to do, but look at the poverty and racism of the deep US South , and the Paris suburbs ablaze in riot and on and on. Look at George and Tony invading Iraq and ask - what sort of democracy is that ? Glass houses. Putin is actually far more genuinely popular in Russia, than Bush , Blair or Brown were or are.

Roarke, London, England

We were in Russia during the Labor Day holiday, and while our observations were colored by our tour guides and our limited contact with 'real Russians' it was obvious that the 'real Russians' had a real fear. Russia has been ruled for 800 years by homicidal manics. The new democracy brought a hope of an end to the exploitation and a hope for leaders who sought power and the retention of power in less extreme ways. Putin appears to be following the historical path that terrorized Russia for centuries. It is not just the media that harbors 'real fears.' The Russian population is well aware that if you forget history you are doomed to relive it. We in the West heretofore have been 'lucky.' Stalin and Hitler did not haunt the Americas, but were home grown Russian and German disasters. With a little less greed and better public relations they could have enslaved all of Europe. Hitler in particular seduced the German people. ditto Putin/Russia KKD

Ken Ditkowsky, Chicago, Illinois , USA

A very good article indeed. Westerners avoid the question of what could be the alternative to Putin - an ultra right Zhiranosvsky or the Communists. We should give thanks that Putin has brought stability to Russia in a crucial stage of its development.

Yes, there are restrictions on the freedom of the press, the judiciary is far from independent and we have a Duma which just rubber stamps the policies of the President. But it is a shame that the Americans keep trying to box Putin in, a complete change from the Bill Clinton approach.

By 17th December, United Russia needs to choose its candidate for President and this will be far more interesting than the elections for the Duma. So far, Putin has placed great emphasis on supporting the constitution and perhaps he will be happy to play out the next four years as leader of United Russia. If he tries to impose his will by becoming Prime Minister, this could have devasting effects in the coming years.

Gary Hyams, Bryansk, Russia

A brilliant and insightful article!

Nadezhda, Moscow, Russia

Congratulations Mr Putin, we hope in the West , you may keep the 4 Reich of Europe in Check , if you play Chess ? remember Chavez of Venezuela, He forgot the Constitution, so the people forgot him, you obviously did,nt so they did,nt forget you its as simple as that ! but if I was,nt so Dumb these Politicians would,nt shine. France and De Gaulle were too busy engaged in creating a Chalamagne Germanic, alliance not realizing the Von Sauffenburg model was already afoot. One can only hope that the cosmic maginot line or star wars project does,nt go ahead,as its a waste of money and space itself. The other European Republics should certainly take note, Eire in particular regarding their quasi neo Neutrality. It will be an interesting C.F.E. Conventional Forces Europe meeting on the 12 of December , the truth is were running out of Red Indians so we will have to settle for a few Brown ones ,not the Gordon type.Good luck in Manchuria, and Congratulations , Yours Respectfully G.D. Flynn

G.D.Flynn, International Republican, Roterdam Holland

Once again, Professor Stone wishes to demonstrate the West's allegedly vapid thinking: first Turkey now Russia. His comparison with France shows his complete lack of historical perspective. Modern France, for all its wobbling from time to time, is democratic at heart and has nothing remotely like the KGB. Putin is not ex-KGB as some commentators have claimed. He IS KGB. Of course, Russia deserves her place at the top international table and the modicum of democracy she has has enabled some sections of the Russian people to enjoy a decent standard of living but I remain to be convinced that either Turkey or Russia is yet on the steep learning curve of democracy. As for the efficacy of elections, Professor Stone will no doubt remember how Hitler came to power in 1933. Now there's an historical analogy he may well wish to pursue! Hitler, it is said, brought back national self-respect to the German peoples but once in power chose never to surrender it. Putinesque?

Dr David Green, Athens, Greece

If Norman Stone had been alive in the 1930s, I'm sure he could have knocked up a similar little piece about Hitler. After all, the people had spoken there, too... Never mind all the anti-democratic shenaningans: that's just mere detail.

Ollie, London, UK

As an example of how an general election should be run,watch the next one in the USA.If the last two are anything to go by Putin will get an education.We in the UK are no better as recent news shows.For Bush and Brown to criticise Putin is pure jealousy as he won,Brown will not and barring marshall law the republicans will be out in 08.

JohnP, Newcastle, UK

A brilliant and insightful article! If only more people in the West shared your point of view. Not all is perfect in Russia, but if you consider what the country went through in the 20th century, it should be easy enough to understand why Russia is not quite as democratic as some Western European countries. Change takes time, and you cannot go from planned economy to free market and democracy overnight. All considered I don't think Russia is doing that badly in that department.

Gennadiy Pukhov, Tallinn, Estonia

Norman Stone as usual gives us a historical perspective of Putanism and a useful comparison with de Gaulle's France. Although, Russia has ceased to be the butt of jokes of the British and other Western tabloids (mostly because the journalists' expense accounts does not go far in central Moscow, let alone the sick dollar) there is still an utterly predictable rent-a-syndicated -journalist element to most Western reporting in the country.
It is to Putin's and the Russians' credit (especially the middle classes) that they do not give a damn about what the Western media write about them.
If people like Pat Buchanan, Norman Stone and the great Zoltenytshin think highly of Putin that is good enough for me. I wish we had people like him - patriotic and able to effect profound positive changes - instead of the careerist pygmy politicians we have, one of whom recently remarked that we have a lot to learn from "pious" South Asian Islamists who had taken over a big chunk of Birmingham

Marco Borg, London, United Kingdom

So if Mr Putin is so clearly favoured by the electorate, why the alleged vote rigging? Was it just to avoid those election-night jitters?

QED.

Enlightened, Lyon, France

The parallel with De Gaulle is one often made, but is all the more valid for that. We may not like strong leaders who pull their countries back from the brink, but provided they don't turn into Hitlers or Stalins, history vindicates them, usually after their deaths. Cf. Kemal Ataturk. And every French town now has a place or rue Charles de Gaulle, and yet I well remember how universally hated he was by the intelligentsia and by the non-Gaullist press. Perhaps we may even see "Margaret Thatcher Drive" in British housing estates thirty years from now, as commonplace as "Churchill Avenue" is today...

JF, Canterbury, UK

Wow! Norman, are you working for KGB? This article is too unbiased for a western journalist!

Dmitri, Kazan, Russia

The press is so skewed, biased and out of whack that they have reported that Putin had won an overwhelming victory amidst so called rigging.

So 65% is now considered overwhelming?

Ahmad Kamal Abu Bakar, N Sembilan, Malaysia