The pace of post-Soviet development has been painfully slow in some countries, nowhere more so than in Russia itself. While Russia’s economy failed in the 1990s, many considered political reforms to still be ‘transition,’ but with the re-emergence of Russia as a world power, many people are now wondering why Russia still does not appear fully democratic. In truth, Russia is not a democracy, not even an “illiberal” one. The lack of political and civil rights, control of the army and security apparatus by the Kremlin, the corporatism and corruption of the Oligarchs and government and the exclusion of opposition parties from elections and political participation all indicate a system which is fundamentally undemocratic. Read More | Comments