3 ms·
I believe one could make a compelling argument that Russians themselves are more prepared to endure hardship for politico-economic reasons. They're just so used
by abalashov 5y ago
I believe one could make a compelling argument that Russians themselves are more prepared to endure hardship for politico-economic reasons. They're just so used to it...
- nwiswell 5y agoI am not sure it is a matter of being "prepared" to suffer rather than a defeatist cultural attitude about the ability to effect change. It's not hard to understand where that attitude comes from: for the past century, any hint of dissention was rapidly repaid with a one way ticket to a gulag in one form or another. This isn't to say that e.g. there isn't genuine support for the regime; there certainly is, but there's also low inclination toward the kind of activism that changes hearts and minds, and consequently state propaganda has an outsize influence on political opinions. Meanwhile in the West, we are of the belief that if we complain loudly enough about things, they will get better. That attitude is correct a surprisingly large amount of the time! So next time you want to complain about people complaining about stuff that complaining about won't fix, remember it's (usually) a good thing that we're culturally wired to be difficult to please.
- abalashov 5y agoYeah, I think that's a fair assessment. The value that Russian civic culture places on protests, demonstrations and complaints of all kinds is, as you say, rather different.
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]
- danaris 5y ago....And yet, there are still thousands and thousands of people protesting this war in Russia. Despite knowing that they will almost certainly be arrested, and may never again see the light of day.
- ddingus 5y agoA quick look at their history tells the story of a rugged people having done what it takes many, many times.
- chii 5y ago> Russians themselves are more prepared to endure hardship do they have a choice?
- abalashov 5y agoHard for me to say. But my point was this: where a Western government would be seriously imperiled by so much as inconveniencing its consumers in a substantial way for a prolonged period, that is certainly not true in Russia.
- riku_iki 5y agoThey have a choice of going to the streets demanding government change. The thing is that they are happy with where they are and actually many believe in current country's values: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_world https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_world
- CamperBob2 5y agoWhoever guards the doors at the Kremlin will eventually run out of bullets. So, yes, they do have a choice, but it's a pretty awful one.