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

Kiana of Los Angeles, California asks: In the Los Angeles Times, a political cartoon depicted the newly elected President Putin giving a portrait of Rasputin a "thumbs up," while the portrait did the same. What was the artist implying? Are there any similarities between "The Mad Monk" and Vladimir Putin? I would really appreciate it if you would explain this.   Eva Busza responds: My interpretation is that the cartoonist wants to suggest two similarities. First, both Putin and Rasputin are thought to be enigmatic, mysterious figures. Second, Putin, like Rasputin secretly worked behind the scenes manipulating state policies. In the case of Rasputin...he was believed to have manipulated Nicholas II while Putin manipulated "tsar Boris". Of course, the parallel may end there as Rasputin is associated with decadent behavior, while Putin is believed to be very disciplined and free of vices like "excessive drinking".   Steven Solnick responds: I didn't see the cartoon. Perhaps he has in mind a similarity between two figures who wielded great power behind the scenes? Putin, of course, went from behind the throne to assuming the throne himself.   Anna Vassilieva responds: There are no similarities whatsoever. This cartoon is sign of ignorance on the part of both its author and the editor of the cartoon section. I've been observing a lot of artificial and false associations of the president-elect with certain historic figures as Hitler, Rasputin, Pinochet, Stalin, etc. My only comment is that there is an urgent need to raise the substantive knowledge of mass media, to undertake more serious research into the histories and cultures of other countries, and to be more responsible in the selection of images and facts they communicate to the consumers of media information. This is particularly important because we are going through a very sensitive period of US-Russian relations, a period that historians a few decades later will very likely identify as one of THE most crucial periods in world history.