Economist Podcasts Falling tsar? Russians eye life after Putin
Nov 1, 2022
Arkady Ostrovsky, Russia editor for The Economist, shares his insights on the shifting political landscape in Russia as elites consider life beyond Putin. He explores the potential rise of figures like Alexei Navalny and implications for democracy and European security. Meanwhile, Sarah Birke, Bureau Chief for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, highlights Haiti's dire humanitarian crisis amid gang violence and ineffective foreign intervention. They also touch upon the contentious history of the Koh-i-noor diamond and its demand for repatriation.
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Putin's Broken Bargain
- Putin's rule in Russia was based on stability, asking little of the people in exchange for no war.
- Mobilization and the war in Ukraine have destabilized this arrangement, making Russia more brittle.
Putin's Potential Downfall
- A significant loss of Ukrainian territory could lead to a revolt by the army or elite against Putin.
- Putin's legitimacy is waning due to unpopular war and apparent mistakes.
Post-Putin Russia
- Putin's centralized rule has weakened state institutions, making a smooth transition unlikely if he goes.
- Russia's likely form of protest is sabotage rather than open revolt, potentially leading to a failed state.
