How Far Can The Russian People Be Pushed Before They Revolt Against Putin?......

[global1]

They have to realize that Putin is destroying even their crappy lifestyles under Putin's autocratic and iron fisted control.

He's destroying the meager economy in Russia. He's getting their son's killed. They are being cut off from the rest of the world.

It seems like there is just so much these Russian People will be able to tolerate before they revolt and come out in force to depose Putin.

I have to think that they are very close to their breaking point.

[OAITW r.2.0]

1. I agree, I believe that the Russian people are sick of Putin.

They know about his kleptocratic ways. They don't support a war that wasn't justified. They now will bear the price of Putin's folly with a major reduction in their standard of living. This next couple of weeks could be Putin's Waterloo.

[Irish_Dem]

2. The Russian mob is said to rule Russia.

Can the mobsters be broken?
Can the Russian people destroy the mobsters?

[radius777]

3. What some don't realize is Russia is far more Western than

it used to be. The younger generations, especially those that live in/around the big cities, only know a more Western style of life that has more opportunity. They are terrified of having to go back to a closed off dark/bleak world that characterized the old USSR - and I think this is why the sanctions will work in the long run. The population won't accept Putin's dark and dystopian vision.

[AlexSFCA]

4. nothing short of a coup/revolution can change russia

hopefully, it’s the beginning of that. One can only hope that putin made enemies within his circle.

[EYESORE 9001]

5. I dunno. Let's find out.

I got no beef with the Russian people, but they allowed this despot to take power, so they must play a role in his ouster. Incentive to not allow it to happen again.

[orwell]

6. My Brother in Law...

...grew up in Bulgaria under Russian rule. He assures me that there are many older Russians, including his own father, who revere Putin. They see the bad times as starting when the Soviet Union fell. My BIL can't stand the fucker, but he is younger and highly educated. (He still hates "the gypsies" though...)

To a certain class of Russians, Putin Made Russia Great Again. They see him as a defender of the fatherland, destroyer of the liberal decadent western infidel. They are also inundated with Putin State Radio and TV outlets they spew pro-Putin propaganda 24/7. Think FauxNewz and Rush LimpBalls on every channel all the time.

In essence, my BIL's take is that they will hang by this fuckwad longer than you think...

[FakeNoose]

7. It's the younger generation that will lead the revolt against Putin

The younger ones - those under 40 - can barely remember the communist regime that ended in the early 90's. A lot of them grew up with the culture of US/UK/EU and they know our movies, music, internet, and culture. A lot of them speak English or at least they can understand it. My point is that the younger generation already understands how corrupt Putin and his oligarchs are, but they've been led to believe the entire world is like that. Once they see that the rest of us aren't (well, many of us aren't) I believe they're revolt against Putin. They're probably already trying to figure out how to do it.

[leftieNanner]

8. Interesting Post

If his rich buddies lose any more money or access to beautiful things and places, they might slip him a cup of "tea", but that may be the only thing that will remove him from power.

We shall see.

[lindysalsagal]

17. I've been thinking about his oligarchs. vlad is the linchpin to control everything. Who could take

over if they do shove him over a balcony? I've never heard of a 2nd in command. Will each one just take his money out and live elsewhere? What would that do to russia? How much does the official state actually do to run the country? Do they even know how?

[MadameButterfly]

9. I keep hearing on NPR that he has an 80% approval rating

and that these numbers are real, not Putin propaganda. Apparently the economy got better when he took over, and they believe he saved them from the Chechins (when in fact he was the threat in the first place.)

These people grew up in state run propaganda schools, now for several generations. They were taught the oppositie of critical thinking, and Putin still controls the airwaves. Look how easy it's been for the Right bamboozle 40% of America to (with a little help from Russia).

I do hope this war changes things I just don't think it will be so easy. Maybe the young people. More likely some people in the upper echelons who don't want a destroyed economy or nuclear war over Putin's fantasy of USSR.

[Peregrine Took]

10. I heard similar sentiments on the BBC - majority of population supports Putin

as the propaganda they hear on their media is 100% supportive of him and feel he is trying to protect them.

[3catwoman3]

14. Years ago, there were Russians who looked back fondly...

…on Stalin. They have likely all passed on, now.

There are those who yearn for authoritarian rulers, incomprehensible as that may be to those of us who abhor it.

[orwell]

15. Strongmen have always had an appeal...

...it is the legacy of thousands of years of patriarchy. It is embedded in our religions, in our cultures, in our languages.

Even when women are skilled enough to rise to powerful positions we expect them to exhibit masculine traits.

It really is quite stunning that the very basis of our undoing may be because of our greatest collective blind spot - the flawed fundamental orthodoxy of male supremacy.

[moondust]

11. Long-term brainwashing

may not be easy to overcome. Russians have been heavily propagandized for a century. It appears former Communist Party member Putin has continued that "tradition" since the demise of the USSR.

I would even say that part of the reason for his war on Ukraine is his fear of democracy and a free press spreading to Russia due to the many linguistic and ethnic ties between the two populations. He wants to get control of Ukraine's media and internet.

[ibegurpard]

12. How propagandized are they?

I have become convinced that a very large portion of our population right here would follow authoritarians all the way and I would assume the same for the Russians.

[Torchlight]

13. I'd like to read or hear from the average Russian person-on-the-street

An objective summation of what they believe, what they want, and what they expect are key to finding what they won't take.

I'd thought for more than 20 years I'd awaken one morning to reports that the Cuban people revolted against Castro, the longest-serving non-royal head of state in the 20th and 21st centuries, but that report never happened.

I don't know. Maybe they're as confused and scared as the Ukrainian people are and the system's baffles aren't ready to take the heat; but then again, maybe they're not.

[FreeJoe]

16. Judging by North Korea

There is virtually no limit to how badly you can destroy a country if you maintain tight enough control over the populace.