Russia After Communism - Bridget Kendall MBE

Russias emergence from Soviet Communism, a revolution without shots, did not result in civil war and bloodshed, as in 1917. But the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 still came as a shock and the subsequent chaos (with hyperinflation, political turmoil and a messy war in Chechnya) revealed that the post-Communist transition was by no means cost free. The Putin era brought increased stability and prosperity, but also loss of political freedom, increased power of the state, weakening of the rule of law, increased nationalism and a rift between Russia and the West. What is Russias place in the world now? And what does the turbulence of the last 25 years tell us about where it is heading?

[jeffjameskorsing]

Excellent lecture, very well said
Ty

[joeenglishtv]

She's the best of the best I've seen so far on this topic. Now the general picture is so much clearer, where Russia has been, where it is at the moment, and where it is heading. Thank you very much for the brilliant lecture 👏 👏 👏

[Joshua_Cares]

Interesting presentation. Learned from this.

[ThroneOfBhaal]

33:34 Those are the most 'retired Russian Airborne' troops I've ever seen! :D

[Incandescence]

A magisterial run through of the last 30 years in Russian history- absolutely loved this while being objective and pertinent- placing Russia within a global context as a significant actor in European and global foreign policy- stunning that so many people support Putin increasingly in the image of Stalin- especially now, within the haze of the coronavirus pandemic, has pushed towards securing power until 2036 (I believe)- long live free speech, political discourse and moral courage..

[moppleinga]

Brilliant lecture! Thank you. I spoke to a lady from Moscow coming here, saying she often did not get paid, and that thecompanies get away with "promises" of pay regularly, and often only get half-this was only 5 years ago!
There is a similar feeling in the east of germany-many are resentful of the freedom and argue now we have no jobs for money to travel. After witnessing the wall coming down it was supposed to be a celebration but i'm shocked so many don't think that way-they still teach russian at school not english, there are plenty of things which make you see how little they've accepted they're new status and keep on encouraging military fervour among the young . The west also assumed the east could be successful with help but sadly, not only are ghost towns common, but there are whole estates of new housing empty of people who ran back to the west.

[Rog]

Most informative.
Thank you Bridget Kendall and Gresham.

[marcvenot]

A reference except I was hoping for a joke about the Skripal enigma.

[robertfeinberg]

Yogi Berra famously said, "when you come to a fork in the road, take it."

[spiderlime]

no state or people would ever be free or truely independent for as long as it believes in what is commonly known as "the strong leader", as a figure or a group of figures that are beyond examination or questioning by the people and the intellectual groups. in russia, historically, while the system of government and the structure of the economy did not remain the same, there is still legitimation of brutocracy, for lack of a better term. most of the current "leaders" of post-communist russia were operatives of the former regime. they may have introduced a veneer of larger purchasing power for the citizens, but that did not excorcise the ghost of ivan the terrible from the kremlin.

[black__bread]

As folks say, Russia? Meh, Saudia Arabia with trees (it's not a compliment)

[robertfeinberg]

We had something similar in the crisis of 1971, et seq., under Richard Nixon, who closed the gold window and imposed economic controls.

[HealingLuckyOfficial]

The UK is following in Russia's footsteps

[sebastianmelmoth]

Russia still has the same people in power - even in the church - with very few exceptions.

[robertfeinberg]

Russia has a flat tax, which is more than we can say after being promised in 1974 by Jerry Ford.

[liambeevor]

Neglects to mention that the Georgians went on the attack

[m.b.]

Most of the facts conveniently left out in order to please and amuse the audience...

[dannymckenzie]

The Soviet union collapsing was a good thing for russia,

[dorisstevens]

It's hard to listen to this condescending propaganda. How many Americans are working minimum wage jobs and how many American oligarchs couldn't care less. Look in the mirror!