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> In Russia, all high official positions are up for sale. This is outrageous and patently false. No society in the world operates this way.

• baybal2 10y ago
  >No society in the world operates this way. But Russia does
  • Lordarminius 10y ago
    Come on. I have never been to Russia or studied the political structure in a systematic way. But I can still assert that this is patently false. If it were not, the oligarchs would have absolute control, as it is they writhe (rightly, imo) under the jackboot of Putin. What about local regional and ethnic interests and loyalties? How do you account for state security and other sensitive sectors if you sell all your positions to the highest bidder? A society run like you imply, would soon collapse. Competing money from oligarchs,the mafia, foreign intelligence agencies, rich corporations and so on, would rip it apart. I get the western obsession with Russia bashing but HN readers should have a higher standard.
    • baybal2 10y ago
      >A society run like you imply, would soon collapse. Yes, and it did