Reply #22: I think Gorbachev really tried to achieve his idea,

[Matilda]

which was a socialist state that was more accountable than it had
been under the previous decades of communism.

Given that the Russians have never really known democracy at all,
it was probably a better idea to first reform the Communist system
and make it more open before attempting full capitalist-style
democracy. But the people were impatient, and Yeltsin exploited
that. I do believe Gorbachev was sincere - he never tried to
pretend that he was anything other than Communist, but he knew the
system was about to implode, and he wanted to save it, whereas
Yeltsin was never anything more than an opportunist, and an
incompetent one at that. Incompetent at everything except lining
his own pockets. But he said all the right things to the West
about rejecting socialism in any form, so he got the loans he wanted.
Unfortunately, none of it benefited the people.

I wish I could believe that Putin is simply trying to tighten up the
system for the general good, but I don't. Why else would he claim
that his "reforms" are being made to fight terrorism, when they
are nothing of the sort? Another opportunist, albeit quite a clever
one. I certainly wouldn't underestimate him, but I don't think
he'll turn out to be the saviour of the Russian people.