RIA Novosti
November 2, 2007
Yedinocracy
MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti political commentator Andrei Vavra) - Yedinaya Rossia (United Russia party) has once again refused to have televised debates with its political rivals. There is political logic behind it.
Indeed, what is the point of arguing with those who have not the slightest chance of getting into the Duma? What is the point of arguing even with those who manage to muster the 7.1% of the votes required to be in the Duma? Even if they do scrape by into the Duma they will be unnoticed; they will make no difference to the quality, color and appearance of the final products.
There is of course yet another reason why the United Russia has shunned the debate. The debates would in fact be a referendum on approving the president's policy and the party has few colorful controversialist speakers. And in any case the debate is a dicey business. It is like a penalty shootout, or like love, where nothing can be predicted or calculated in advance. But to lose the debate to a political lightweight because he happens to be more skilful or simply more personable.... This is too dreadful to contemplate. It is not only humiliating; it is a political blunder.
We will keep silent, says United Russia. The president will speak for us with his words and actions. We are just his mouthpieces, heralds and interpreters; something like the Znaniye (Knowledge) Society, which carried Reason and Light to the masses during Soviet times.
And yet there is a nagging sense that the party does not understand what its mission is. Or rather, has lost sight of its strategic goals because of its preoccupation with current affairs. Forming a strong political party in Russia is only one part of the global democratic project. Another part, I understand, is the creation of a multi-party parliamentary system. It could be patterned on Italy during the period when the Christian Democrats were on the rise, or on Japan. If we aim to have a parliament with two or three parties, then United Russia, being the best organized political force, should for its own future benefit seek to foster credible partners in parliament.
Democracy is not about taking seats on the main floor while confining all the others to the gallery. It is about the culture of dialogue between the majority and the minority and the respect of one another's rights. Not wishing to engage the opposition in a dialogue may be a proud and self-confident attitude, but one that is politically illiterate. The dominant party should not associate itself with a Mercedes car, which is of course faster and more comfortable than a battered Soviet-era Zhiguli, but can't help but be noticed on the road.... Other people also want to get to their destinations and be happy and not everyone is going to the same place as the Mercedes.
If United Russia seeks to monopolize the legislature, then there are no questions. But if monopoly is not its main political task, then a televised debate could provide a good lesson for other parties. It could be the place where United Russia, a well-established and more experienced party, would teach junior colleagues the ABC of politics and educate them in civilized political discourse and foster a constructive opposition, which is extremely useful in making the political system more effective and stable.
One can't help thinking that our goal is a one-party system, with the token representation of other parties in the Duma where United Russia has an overwhelming majority and the Duma is just pretending to be an independent branch of government. That makes sense. If the only task is to show who is the boss, its actions are quite logical.
A 100% occupation of the Duma by United Russia is not just a step back, it is disastrous for the country.
The party has a good name, United Russia. But it should not be taken too literally. Yes, United Russia, but not to the exclusion of dissenting opinions, different approaches and modes of thought. This is not the kind of unity the president is calling us to.
Democracy is something more delicate. Democracy - and I feel like repeating it for those with poor hearing - is about respect for the interests and rights of the minority, and not about the jubilant roar of the winners trampling their defeated enemies underfoot.
That has a different name (see headline).