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marginallymanic
Cabinet Minister
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Phillippe
Sgt. at Arms
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Joined: 21 Feb 2005
Posts: 2352
Location: Westmount, Québec, Canada
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 1:05 pm Post subject: |
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Gorbachev is rightfully very angry at how the US administrations treated him, and then how they dealt with Russia in the wake of the demise of the USSR. There are a number of books, one called Russia's Path from Gorhachev to Putin by Kotz and Weir, and another one that has a long name, by Andrei Schleifer. There are a whole host of other books (including some written by Gorbachev) that basically point out just exactly what went wrong on Russia's recent path.
Part of the problem has always been the US government's inability to take Russia seriously. Clinton had the distraction of a drunkard in office who was prone to bouts of getting shitfaced at important meetings. Clinton should have actively pursued change in Russia without necessarily using Yeltsin-- there were dozens of Yeltsin's buddies, nicknamed "The Family" that had far more power and influence in the Duma than he did himself. Had Clinton also eliminated key legislation called Jackson-Vanik, there would have been greater opportunities for cooperation between the US and Russian markets. The reason Russia has sought trade alliances with less desirable nations is that this legislation blocks the exporting of high technologies to Russia and blocks the normalization of trade. Because it is still on the books in the US, Russia is blocked from ever joining the WTO. A point I should make is that waivers exist for China (1970), Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, etc etc..... Hmm.
The G8 and IMF prescribed shock therapy, or a policy of fiscal austerity for Russia to combat the 300 Billion budget shortfall. Many figured that a grass-roots market would emerge by creating a policy of making all people shareholders in public companies. Well, it failed and the economy is run by a group of people who now own billions. Putin's popularity eminates from the fact he's working towards protecting the average Russian from what was a market economy so perverse that most US Businessmen were shocked when they saw its governmentality up close.
Gorbachev has a right to point out the failures of the US administrations on Russia, and I would extend that to the IMF and G8. Insult was added to injury when US policy under Bush became cold, and backstabbing. Rice should be ashamed of her self: As a "Sovietologist" she's helped formulate the same system that once existed.
_________________
"To memory is tied an ambition, a claim--that of being faithful to the past"
-- Paul Ricoeur |
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