The flaws in the Russian system are obvious...just as are the flaws (different ones) in the American system. There is much to criticize in both cases. Intelligence and awareness, strongly employed in such criticism, is largely quite unwelcome in BOTH cases.

This, however, does not change the fact that Putin understands how to effectively govern Russia, whereas his predecessors clearly did not. They were selling the country out (after 1989) to western carpetbaggers and Russian Mafia crooks. Russian history suggests very strongly that the population in that country expects a government to be firm and authoritative and to use a heavy hand...and when it doesn't, the place falls apart in short order. You cannot successfully convert Russia into the kind of liberal society and democracy we have traditionally considered most desirable in the more prosperous nations of the West, because Russia has not been built on those liberal democratic traditions. That's my opinion. It's not like England, France, Canada or the USA.

Putin has read the situation correctly, I think. There will always be plenty to criticize about government in Russia...and such critics will always annoy hell out of those in charge...just as such critics over here annoy hell out of George Bush, for example. ;-) Meanwhile, the business of keeping the country (Russia) functioning will rest with people like Mr Putin.

Critics of official policy are good for a society. They serve as a conscience and a wake-up call. If put in charge, however, they might find it a lot tougher to realize their ideals than they suspected...specially in Russia.