Post-reform Russia: Rethinking recent democratization lessons

The past twenty years of modern Russian history have been marked by profound changes in the country's political life. But despite the extent of these changes, post-Communist Russia can still be described as a society "in transition", the prospects for the democratic evolution of which are by no means certain. Among the main obstacles to the development of democracy in Russia, the finger is pointed not only at the country's leaders but also at society itself, which has apparently been disappointed in democracy. However, research over recent years indicates that the situation concerning democracy in Russia and its acceptance by the country's population is not as straightforward, unequivocal or hopeless as is sometimes imagined. 

First of all, à significant number of Russians adheres to many democratic values and institutions.  At the same time over the past decade social and political practice has, to an extent, changed Russians' ideas regarding the importance of the various components of democracy.

Russians clearly distinguish normative ideas on democracy from what is actually happening in Russia.  Moreover, the main claim against the version of democracy being implemented in Russia is its lack of effectiveness. 

When we talk of the effectiveness of democracy, it is important not just to measure it as an institution but also to measure the level of public trust in the authorities and social institutions. This is a much wider phenomenon with many more variables: the nature of the political regime, the influence democratic institutions have over politics, the dynamics of growth and quality of life, the extent of corruption, genuine guarantees of human rights and civil liberties etc.  Together these have long been relatively successfully identified within the format of public opinion as "the workings of democracy".  Most Russians (72%) are not satisfied with how democracy works.