Hannah Arendt ardently believed that power does not belong to an individual but to a group of people who think alike and act in concert. What happened in Moscow on 6th of May demonstrated that there are many people who think that a government without Putin is possible, and consequently they were confronted with sheer violence. Following Arendt's thread of thought, the Moscow's march clearly shows that power is the antipode of violence:
"Violence appears where power is in jeopardy, but left to its own course it ends in power's disappearance"1
This brutal meeting between opposition and violence shows a lot about Putin's regime, however, it is important to note that the people who were arrested were prominent bloggers.
"Violence appears where power is in jeopardy, but left to its own course it ends in power's disappearance"1
This brutal meeting between opposition and violence shows a lot about Putin's regime, however, it is important to note that the people who were arrested were prominent bloggers.
Blogging as an activity/message was well received in Russia and it fostered -perhaps even strengthened- the publicity of "like-mindedness." It's not like the Russian opposition didnt exist before and suddenly emerged. Oppositional forces were always present but the nature of the current government invoked/reignited its purpose, which is shared with others and communicated via blogs. The people didnt just decide to protest on the 6th of May, but they were blogging about it and took the risk. Their physical appearance at the Bolotnaya Ploshchad was the culmination of their ACTION, which started -and continues after the arrest as there is a flashmob event organized for today- from the fact that they share the same idea and they published it via blogs.
The good news is that violence has to be justified, as it is instrumental by nature and as Arendt aptly noted "what needs justification by something else cannot be the essence of anything."2
1Hannah Arendt, On Violence, P56
2 Ibid, P51
Do you think that Putin will fall? Or that he will be forced to not run again?
ReplyDeleteI really dont know...but i think it is not even important at this point. What is really fascinating is that people ACT, not only by taking the streets but by associating with each other on a completely different level.
DeleteYes absolutely. Very leftist.........
ReplyDeleteA large protest is happening in Moscow without fear of heavy handed policing or state retribution. Is this not a sign of a strong democracy? I don't see young students being kettled and deprived of food and water for several hours, as I have seen in London several times this year.
The problem with these protests is that they are protesting against a man who is is not currently in charge of the country (technically). Medvedev is the one they need to press for reform, just some advice.
First of all, there is a "fear of heavy handed policing" in Moscow but people protest (ed) nevertheless. I dont know the details of London, but within the Russian context these protests were absolutely genuine; fueled -at least partially- by satire-seasoned theater monologues "Grazhdanin Poet" (or Citizen-Poet). These series ridiculed not only Putin, but Medvedev as well - especially after he announced Putin's candidacy for the 2012 election. Hence, Medvedev fell into political disgrace and was definitely not fit for the role of a true reformer.
DeleteAs for the most important aspect of these protests - just like the latest protests in Greece (not the "Apocalypse Now" like warzone scenes, as well as the protests in Cyprus against the E.Bank retaining 10% of their bank accounts - is the way they were (are) carried out; peacefully and with integrity (and even ingenuity)
Finally, I dont like labeling political institutions; I think it's too superficial and veneers the real problem - the current political paroxysm both in Europe and Russia. (cant talk about other areas of the globe for that matter)
Absolutely ordinary people. Trusting. Good. Like my aunt. Like my next-door neighbor. Students, workers, [state employees], pensioners. Seven out of ten – women. Mothers and grandmothers. And they really like Putin. He is so brave and decisive.
ReplyDelete