PRESIDENT PUTIN

March 2000
		After several months as acting president of Russia, Vladimir Putin has been formally elected to the country's presidency. Can he bring needed reforms to Russian democracy? Anna Vassilieva, Associate Professor of Russian studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, Steven Solnick, Associate Professor of Political Science at Columbia University, and Eva Busza, Assistant Professor of Government at the College of William and Mary, respond to your questions.

Forum introduction Could Putin turn toward more authoritarian methods of government? Will Russia's business climate improve? How will Putin direct Russia's foreign affairs? Can Putin restore Russia's national pride? How does Putin compare to Russia's past leadership?     Online Special: Politics in Russia March 27, 2000 Three experts discuss what Putin's election win means for Russia. March 24, 2000 Vladimir Putin leads in the polls a day before the election. Complete NewsHour coverage of Europe   The Library of Congress's Russia study Russian government Russian Embassy in Washington The College of William and Mary Columbia University The Monterey Institute for International Studies

Serge Rebenkoff of Strafford, Pennsylvania asks: Putin may be a hard-liner, but he is one of the youngest leaders that Russia has had since WWII. Do you think he will help to resuscitate national pride in Russia? That kind of pride, in many cases, is as crucial to stimulating an economy as is external financial support and investments.   Eva Busza responds: I think that one of the few clear messages that Putin did communicate during the period preceding the presidential elections was that he wanted to revive Russian national pride. While having national pride is an important feature of a healthy state and can spill-over and affect the perceptions of the outside world in a positive way, there are, inherent dangers associated with such sentiments.....overzealous nationalism can deteriorate into chauvenism and hatred of non-nationals or minorities.   Steven Solnick responds: Russians are relieved to see a leader who is healthy and vigorous after the depressing spectacles of Brezhnev, Andropov, Chernenko and Yeltsin, all of whom were incapacitated in their final years in office. However, vitality in the leader may also mean he is vigorous enough to pursue an oppressive agenda as easily as a virtuous agenda. Putin is now 48. Stalin was 45 when he assumed power. Younger isn't necessarily better.   Anna Vassilieva responds: I feel the reason why President-elect Putin secured his victory in the first round is directly linked to the way he expresses his concerns about Russia's pride and uniqueness. He has made a number of references in his interviews [not broadcast or analyzed in the West at all] which made Russian people sense certain indicators of his determination to conduct an independent, pragmatic, and Russia-oriented policy. He has come forward as a person who is capable of appreciating the real strengths of Russia and its people, their potential, and hope to regain a status of dignity not only for themselves but for the rest of the world as well. The confidence that the president-elect exudes is one of his strongest personal traits which helps Russians, particularly of the younger generations, to feel better about themselves and about their country.