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Kompromat has been a normal part of the Russian political culture going back to negative rumors against Kerensky in 1917, and yet Russian society has not adapte
by lkrubner 8y ago
Kompromat has been a normal part of the Russian political culture going back to negative rumors against Kerensky in 1917, and yet Russian society has not adapted a lenient attitude about it. Rather, the opposite happens, the public develops the attitude that everyone is corrupt and the right way to fight this is to make a severe example of anyone who gets caught.
- mattmaroon 8y agoWe elected the "grab 'em by the pussy" guy. We're clearly not Russia.
- danans 8y agoThat guy's voters had a much lower standard for decency for him than they had for other candidates. Some even rationalized that with religious explanations. The question is whether the standards for personal conduct have been permanently lowered for future candidates or whether that was a one time thing.
- ams6110 8y agoI think that validates sharkweek's theory, above. We have all said things, made crude and even cruel jokes, that we'd be embarrassed about if they became public. But I think we are starting to understand that it's pretty common and with cameras everywhere and social media it's much more likely that you'll be "outed" for something you said or did or would rather keep private. I don't know if a society that doesn't shame people for that sort of stuff will be better. Shame is a powerful way that societies regulate undesired behavior. But I do think it's happening.
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]