It would seem that Russians long for a strong man model of leadership, almost as though it were part of their DNA. Whether it be a tzar, a Communist-Stalinist dictator or the uninterrupted presence of the “democratically elected” mob boss that is Vladimir Putin, Russia’s experience with self governance in the style of a pluralistic western democracy is practically nil.

@p-nullifidian isn't that part projection? Americans do not want to be told of anything that will affect their entitlement to rob, steal & cheat to their expected lifestyle which means they want governments that will do the same to them as well as lie about it to the citizens?

@FrayedBear Perhaps I’m projecting, but it’s hard for me to understand how anyone would prefer a return to the days of Stalin, or even the perestroika of Gorbachev. Reform? By all means! But to return? That would be regressive, and people just might find out that the good old days weren’t that good after all.