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I'm not sure why everyone assumes this. It seems like he'd have much more ability to shape the future of Russia and protect those close to him if he chooses a

I'm not sure why everyone assumes this. It seems like he'd have much more ability to shape the future of Russia and protect those close to him if he chooses a successor and oversees the succession. He could also ensure better conditions for himself (i.e. not being executed) in case he ends up being unable to continue ruling due to sickness/old age.

UncleOxidant 4y ago
Do we have any examples of this actually happening in the Soviet times until now? He's going to be worried about the groomed successor doing him in earlier than natural death. That paranoia is what keeps them from doing what you suggest.
- bpodgursky 4y ago
  Yeltsin, Gorbachev, and Khrushchev all died peacefully.
  - UncleOxidant 4y ago
    Yes, but did they groom a successor? Yeltsin did (Putin). Krushchev - not sure, I think there was a bit of a tussle. Gorbachev was probably too young to be thinking about a successsor - and he was essentially shutting down the Soviet Union.
    - starik36 4y ago
      Khrushchev was overthrown. Gorbachev was basically too. After the hardliners’ coup attempt he was basically a lame duck.
      - bpodgursky 4y ago
        Yeah I think casual observers miss the fundamental political apathy of most Russians. Overthrown leaders don't have a power base; mobs aren't going to turn out to return a deposed leader to power. Once they are irrelevant, they're going to stay that way, and everyone knows it.
  - deleted 4y ago
    [deleted]
- danenania 4y ago
  The odds of a full on anti-Putinist purge seem a lot higher with a disorderly succession compared to one that Putin orchestrates himself. There are risks either way of course, but it doesn't seem like such an obvious choice for him as many imply.
- deleted 4y ago
  [deleted]
- rayiner 4y ago
  Lenin himself died of natural causes after leaving power.
  - canjobear 4y ago
    Lenin isn't a good example. He had a stroke while still in power and never effectively regained it. He was reduced to reading the newspaper in his wheelchair and crying about developments, while being unable to effect real change any more. He arguably did not want Stalin as his successor, but was powerless to prevent it by then.
kibwen 4y ago
If Putin were interested in either ruling from the shadows or appointing a successor then he had his chance with Medvedev. The fact that he ousted Medvedev to re-assert himself reveals that prefers to be seen as the one in charge.
- danenania 4y ago
  Yes, but by the same token, won't he want to maximize the chances of an ideologically aligned successor so his influence continues beyond death? He doesn't strike me as someone who'd be content to let the chips fall where they may once he's gone.
pessimizer 4y ago
> I'm not sure why everyone assumes this. Because propaganda has convinced every American that they know Putin personally, and understand his internal thoughts and drives. Those thoughts and drives are to cause evil everywhere, and a bottomless ego that can only be satisfied by conquering the world. It's not really a subtle caricature.
- bjhartin 4y ago
  Nice try, Kremlin.
bell-cot 4y ago
> I'm not sure why everyone assumes... Most folks "know" far more about succession in authoritarian regimes from heroic fiction, TVTropes, and the Evil Overlord list than they do from actual history.

UncleOxidant 4y ago

Do we have any examples of this actually happening in the Soviet times until now? He's going to be worried about the groomed successor doing him in earlier than natural death. That paranoia is what keeps them from doing what you suggest.

bpodgursky 4y ago
Yeltsin, Gorbachev, and Khrushchev all died peacefully.
- UncleOxidant 4y ago
  Yes, but did they groom a successor? Yeltsin did (Putin). Krushchev - not sure, I think there was a bit of a tussle. Gorbachev was probably too young to be thinking about a successsor - and he was essentially shutting down the Soviet Union.
  - starik36 4y ago
    Khrushchev was overthrown. Gorbachev was basically too. After the hardliners’ coup attempt he was basically a lame duck.
    - bpodgursky 4y ago
      Yeah I think casual observers miss the fundamental political apathy of most Russians. Overthrown leaders don't have a power base; mobs aren't going to turn out to return a deposed leader to power. Once they are irrelevant, they're going to stay that way, and everyone knows it.
- deleted 4y ago
  [deleted]
danenania 4y ago
The odds of a full on anti-Putinist purge seem a lot higher with a disorderly succession compared to one that Putin orchestrates himself. There are risks either way of course, but it doesn't seem like such an obvious choice for him as many imply.
deleted 4y ago
[deleted]
rayiner 4y ago
Lenin himself died of natural causes after leaving power.
- canjobear 4y ago
  Lenin isn't a good example. He had a stroke while still in power and never effectively regained it. He was reduced to reading the newspaper in his wheelchair and crying about developments, while being unable to effect real change any more. He arguably did not want Stalin as his successor, but was powerless to prevent it by then.

kibwen 4y ago

If Putin were interested in either ruling from the shadows or appointing a successor then he had his chance with Medvedev. The fact that he ousted Medvedev to re-assert himself reveals that prefers to be seen as the one in charge.

danenania 4y ago
Yes, but by the same token, won't he want to maximize the chances of an ideologically aligned successor so his influence continues beyond death? He doesn't strike me as someone who'd be content to let the chips fall where they may once he's gone.

pessimizer 4y ago

> I'm not sure why everyone assumes this. Because propaganda has convinced every American that they know Putin personally, and understand his internal thoughts and drives. Those thoughts and drives are to cause evil everywhere, and a bottomless ego that can only be satisfied by conquering the world. It's not really a subtle caricature.

bjhartin 4y ago
Nice try, Kremlin.

bell-cot 4y ago

> I'm not sure why everyone assumes... Most folks "know" far more about succession in authoritarian regimes from heroic fiction, TVTropes, and the Evil Overlord list than they do from actual history.