Main channel video on this - ua-cam.com/video/w2OR1LoDkWc/v-deo.html Vlad's main channel ua-cam.com/users/VladVexlervideos Support Vlad's work on Patreon! www.patreon.com/vladvexler Support Vlad via PayPal www.paypal.com/paypalme/vladvexler?country.x=GB&locale.x=en_GB
The ritualism of the elections as a process of legitimization of Putin seems very much similar to how east roman emperors to the very end actually had processes of being deemed legitimate by the Senate in ritualistic pre-rigged votings as a representation of the people, despite the senate having long lost any power or representative ability being appointed by the most powerful of the nobility and the emperor himself in various cases. This is because the emperors were not kings, but rulers given the rulership through the people's consent and thus they had do this process to get perceived & real legitimacy. In a way Russia being the third Rome is closer to the truth than it has ever been before in this regard.
@@rdbchase You're good...I think most of us did not notice that either...but my spelling is atrocious and English is my first language...I have no excuse for my poor spelling.😄
It is reminding me of what abusers do to their victims. Destroying their victim's chances for freedom and then forcing them to act out their loyalty, even when both sides know it's all lies. Power isn't enough until it's acknowledged by the conquered. Thank you Vlad, once again, for your insights.
@@kkpenney444 Unlikely. The number of people and institutions that would have to comply with violations of the constitution is too large. There is also the fact that each state elects it's representatives and the electoral college stands as an impediment to centralised dictatorship. The Democrat obsession with removing the electoral college is dangerous. The military are sworn to defend the constitution, not the regime, and they are not likely to abandon that responsibility. The constitution has worked thus far but the left have an unfortunate urge to denigrate it as archaic with no appreciation of the way it defends against the authoritarianism they claim to be afraid of.
Oh, spare me. The 'left' does no such thing to the constitution. There's only one party frothing at the mouth to vote for the guy who wants to shred it. @@nerdyali4154
I think it's not an easy thing to accomplish without the preparation of the battle ground that Russia has created over time. The US didn't have a Stalin, nor a Tsar or any number of things that Russia has had. Just continue to be vigilant and don't let the blighters get you down. I'll stand watch with you here in the US.@@kkpenney444
@@nerdyali4154 i'm a yank, middle aged now, just, & whose been quite steeped in the way things work in my country. You're partly right, and partly wrong. Electoral college doesn't really have anything to do with being an impediment to dictatorship. It really is more of a technical tool that can easily be replaced with more logical accountancy-based maths, and it probably should be. Not complicated to do so for smart folks in accounting/maths, the same way voter district maps are drawn, to be fair to populations and their accurate representation per socioeconomies of the districts etc. The Demoratic party has not even slightly denigrated the constitution in any what at all, so i have no idea what u are referring to?!?!? Really man, if u r getting this stuff from crazy sources like some of the advertisers here such as Prager U, and i forget the other main one that pretends it's mainstream but is in fact ultrarighting reactionary propaganda, pls just look up wikipedia or similar to validate/verify things.
Hi there from St Petersburg, Russia. Voted against Putin yesterday at noon. Never had any illusions nor expectations, and kind of expected more than 80% fake result in favour of Putin. In some aspect it's even better since a lot of people actually voted against him and it's a good soil for politicization. As a realistic pessimist I'm trying be optimistic here of course, and hope that there will be more wobble and error in the system, since it was forced to draw this kind of absurd percentage. On the other hand I'm terrified by whats to come, and granted my life situation like borderline poverty and numerous serious health issues (ASD + ARFID and etc), I just wanna well.. live and not to pass away from starvation or something 😅
Honestly, in my opinion the biggest current threat in the world to Putin’s power and life are the Russian radicalists; the ultranationalists who are very evil and despicable people, but who are also honest about the war and do not lie (Igor Girkin is one such ultranationalist, and the Russian military bloggers have proven to be so reliable in their reporting that even the Institute for the Study of War uses them as an information source) The ultranationalists are the group that Putin fears most. I’m at a point where I’m willing to support even them if it means that Putin can be forced out of power.
Tovarich, from mild maritime weathered New Zealand, glad to hear from you. Engaged in similar personal struggles m'self. So, two things, move south to the warm, and it sounds like Putin is 3 dings away from being 'topped' , 'gone for all money', or to be succinct -- beyond English idioms -- killed. I have a feel and sympathy for Russians from reading your great writers so I can never dismiss you as dumb muzhiks destined to more of the same for ever and a day. Outraged at the thought, and Putin is the outrageous thought in one person now.
As a Russian, I am a bit afraid of what happens next. It’s like the lull before the storm. And the uncertainty. I hope I survive it and stay as humane as possible.
As an American I never thought I could relate to what a Russian might feel. But we are also living under the same cloud here believe it or not and don’t feel like we have self determination either. It’s the medieval dark times and cycles of violence the world is under when men want to rule by force not by what’s good.
I took part in "Noon against Putin". I know this is not a lot, but I did, and it was a good day for me and my friends, as we all came to poll location in Dolgoprudniy. My friends are Phystech students and we were pretty much the first people there. When we came out, there was a queue. There are high chances that within that one ballot box Putin has actually lost to Davankov. Some other university locations have already openly stated such results. Also, having Boris Nadezhdin just walk past us asking "So, have you folks voted already?" was the cherry on top. I know it's not the glorious revolution stuff. It mattered though to everyone who came. Whatever makes us realize that us, the reasonable anti-war people in Russia, are actually many, is worth it.
Small steps matter. They build over time. Doing something - no matter how small - matters. Keep doing the small things and with hope, over time, things might change.
After having witnessed the queues for including Nadezhdin, the anti-war candidate, in the ballots in January 2024, there is no doubt Putin does not have the amount of support they want everyone to think he has. Ironically, there were no queues for Putin's candidacy, just none. A citizen of Belgorod, Russia.
@@Ragnarok540 We are merely trying to survive the Ukrainian missile strikes that have been going on massively since March, 12. As much as some of us are appalled by Putin’s politics, it is quite obvious that the missiles are sent from the other side of the border. 11 civilian casualties in less than a week.
@@Ragnarok540Russia has a gigantic apparatus for cracking down on disorder. A giant police force, a giant network of prisons & penal colonies & a huge national guard. It will be very difficult to truly revolt in any big way. The dissident armed groups that have tanks & military equipment are the best chance so far of challenging the structures of repression.
Over and above the purely ritual aspect, could it be that the regime’s demonstration that it can dare and afford to conduct an elaborate and costly sham like this, and be completely confident that it can determine the result, is itself an exercise in intimidation of any potential dissidents? As in: ‘look, you know this election is a bad joke, and we know it’s a bad joke, but think about the fact that we have such power, that we can pull off a bad joke of this magnitude, just because we want to, just to twist the knife and flip the finger to you by showing you how helpless you really are’. Maybe I’m over-psychologizing, here, but I surmise that the kind of sadists who run the Putin crime organization could conceivably think like that.
Watch the main video that is linked at the end of this one (or in the description). Vlad elaborates on the kind of message Putin wants the results to send to dissidents in there.
@@normandduern2413 When you're exposed to highly malodorous substances one's sense of smell can be rather impaired (although perhaps only temporary). As someone who has worked with triethylamine often I can assure you that.
William Spaniel gave a very good explanation as to why the regime continues elections. And it's simply because any announcement to stop elections would simply function as a politicising wake up call and a time for protestors to co-ordinate at, to the point that the protestors might not be so easily subdued by the security forces.
No, even in soviet times there were elections, not because they were afraid of revolt, if They did not do it, but to show and test the power They have to select the outcome by riging who is allowed to run and see whether People still respect this arrangement by showing up to participate in the pointless ceremony.
RE: Spaniel Saw his post on Russia's population tree. Seems the only demo Putin can't afford to lose is the older females. Especially the one's who don't have a man and no real prospect of ever having one. If so, then Putin only has to play the part of being "their man" in the Kremlin. If I were a babushka pensioner living between St. Pete and Moscow, his choices would be checking all my boxes...and, I'd be telling everyone who'd listen.
No. The electoral ritual is the regime's main mode of legitimation, via linking Putin to the people. If you removed that, they would need a different type of legitimating story.
@@VladVexlerChat I have asked you to kindly explain yourself with data not what your beliefs are...maximum here have NIL idea about anything...just like you..
It seems to me that Zelenskyy had more legitimacy in his role as the president of Ukraine in the series Servant of the People than Putin has in his theatrical role as President of Russia.
Yeah that's why entire Ukraine is a sh*t hole....begging every now and then...with all women running to Europe and becoming sluts while he with multi million dollar homes world over hides inside a bunker....while common men are dragged from streets and sent to front line to die....that's something i know you won't notice...😆😆
А я думаю получилось довольно хорошо 1. Я думал, что увижу человек 15 на мелком участке в 12 в Москве, а пришло минимум 100 2. Вроде у нас получается быть "злой кошкой", а не напуганной и забитой. Что надеюсь мешает свободно действовать власти 3. Чего-то ждать стоит от остального мира. Если будут поздравлять с победой на выборах, то только это реально обидно будет 4. И вроде мы ничего не потеряли, так что будем участвовать и в чем-то следующем, куда денемся то.... хе-ехех
@@meanmanul1939 Позорно видеть, как такие люди, как вы, с презрением и неуважением относятся к своим русским братьям и сестрам, которые были убиты в Украине неонацистами, убиты, защищая своих родственников на Донбассе в этой прокси-войне. Это также позор для таких стран, как БРИКС, которые встали на сторону России против всего Запада, чтобы Россия могла получить всю необходимую поддержку, потому что более половины мира видят, что это НЕ Россия воюет на границе с НАТО, а НАТО на границе с Россией Причина в том, что вам всем промыли мозги и вы не прочитали новости должным образом. Были подписаны мирные соглашения, такие как Минские соглашения I и II, и это Запад нарушил их, а не Россия. Точно так же в марте 2022 года Россия и Украина подписали мирное соглашение в Турции, и премьер-министр Великобритании Борис Джонсон сказал отказаться от этого мирного соглашения. Стыдно, что вы об этом не знаете. 2014 НАТО вооружает Украину для ведения войны с Россией. 46 биолабораторий, финансируемых США, Францией, Германией, Великобританией и другими странами, собирали образцы славянской ДНК для ведения биологической войны против русских, крупнейшей террористической атакой на гражданскую инфраструктуру на сегодняшний день является трубопровод «Северный поток», также в 2014 году избранное правительство на Украине было свергнуто в результате переворота США, и то же самое Запад пытался сделать в России, и позорно, что такие шутники, как вы, делают то же самое. кончить, как рабы Запада.. Я бы предпочел, чтобы таких русских, как вы, вешали до смерти.
Thank you for this video Vlad, you are looking well. This strikes me as an "Emperor's New Clothes" type of situation in a way. The necessary re-legitimisation of Putin's Presidency is, as with Stalin in the USSR, a license to make the locals "shut up and dance."
The highly experienced political expert , who has got the economy growing to 3.3% above all expectations , IS that the guy you are on about???@@dangerousmind1121
I spent a fair amount of time in a state that was a fake democracy, and I get what you are saying. Thank you for covering stuff other analysis so often misses.
@@DSAK55 No. I can't really say where as I know at least one trollfarm operative takes notes on me personally, and I don't feel like being identified by a hostile state. All I will say is that the people are lovely and deserve so much better.
@@begr_wiedererkennungswert ok will try that next... I suppose the polite thing to do is make sure to attach an Artusi recipe for squab with my message. Maybe also a sachet of herbs from my garden. It's not particularly urgent; I hope he was having a nice chat with an old friend.
@@renstein8210Hello again, renstein. Haven’t seen you in a while. Still at the pro-Russian/anti-western work. You know you aren’t going to change anyone’s mind here. And you’re not going to make any of us “tired” and to want to stop being invested in Ukraine. We won’t become depoliticised, no matter how much you try.
@@CMY187 I would consider myself pro-reality. And you are right, I won’t convince anyone of anything different here. I’m just waiting for the answer to my question. And if you happen to be from a western country, like I am, you should be ashamed of yourself and your leaders. And you should look for new ones.
@@renstein8210 There are constant cases in western democratic countries where the political leader has to endure heckling, insults and accusations from oppositional figures. There are debates, there are events where two or more sides are allowed to speak (LePen voicing her opposition to Macron). There is none of that in the CCP, the Kremlin or the Islamic Republic of Iran. No opposing voices are allowed to be stated directly to Vladimir Putin. Russians who speak against the current ruling government are suppressed. The only people allowed to be around Putin are people who constantly compliment and praise him. Also I’m from Singapore. I personally find it strange that people who claim that the west is completely bad tend to share their opinions using western electronic devices to post their words on the American-made Internet. The Russian elites claim constantly to hate the west while wearing Italian suits, driving in German cars, flying in Canadian or French planes, and using Apple devices.
Many thanks for this "director's commentary" of the main channel video.Your insights on the 'election' are quite helpful in grasping the broader perspective.I know so much work goes into the main videos with script, graphics, editing,etc. that it makes me worry about you maintaining your health. Please take care.🌻🤔
Dear Vlad, Thank you once again for your well considered commentary. Like some others here, and elsewhere the Russian Elections serve two important functions, preventing any elections would be an obvious sign to the Russian people of the true nature of the Mafioso Regime and prevents the politicization of the Russian People ( the regimes worse nightmare ), and secondly it is an indicator of the level of success in how the Russian People are absorbing their alternative world view, and correspondingly, the success of their media creations.
Social Contract theory is based on the idea that it expresses the "General Will" of the people. Thanks for refreshing that idea, cheers! Honestly, I don;t know of many doing similar discussions, but I think you have it right.
What I took from Vlad's election video is that Putin does not the people's support so much as it needs the election result as a deterring weapon to prevent any alternative from presenting itself
It also has an effect in the general population, as a 80% result will make everyone suspicious that everyone else is pro-putin and thus self-censor. It acts as a control mechanism.
… and it is important for Putin to give to populists around the world the possibility to say: “who od the leaders in the West has so big support and legitimacy? So who are our leaders to criticize Putin?” And by giving the populists such a argumentational ammunition, he can undermine the democracies.
Ur considering that the so called populists are pro-putin. Ur conflating usa politics with other countries. In my country the ones who are pro-russia is the comunist party, the populist is 1000% pro-ukraine.
I doubt even MAGA types would be fooled by this. The audience for this charade is not Western, or indeed anyone not Russian. I'll go all out: not even Tucker would buy this BS. This is a message for Russians, no one else.
Thank you for this video. I’ve been so annoyed with my local news in Quebec (Canada) for days now… and I’m sure it’s not the only place. They spoke about it so damn constantly and shallowly and I’ll be sharing your main channel video with my contacts sooo much… the thing also is that they want to cover it in a neutral manner, so I feel they almost end up indulging Putin’s fantasies by covering it the way they do.
Even sham elections fill the function of Soviet elections: they show an adherence to constitutional and legal ritual. It's similar to how the system has codified laws, but does not have the rule of law.
Isn't there an aspect of the "subject supposed to believe" - as with money, Santa Claus, etc; it functions as long as people believe that others believe in it?
Ah, man, I wish we'd get couple of words from you on his "speech" he just gave Lots of notable (outrageous mostly, but that's what they are) things there too
Side note: in East Germany (where Putin was deployed at the time btw) communal elections were held in summer 1989. The list of candidates (the list was the only thing on the ballot, they were asking for you to say Yes) by way of reporting in the state newspapers came in at some 98℅ approval from the voters. Now everyone knew that could not possibly have been true. Here's the kicker: in several unrelated conversations I witnessed people discussing how the regime did themselves in and should have instead gone for "maybe 85℅" to better address reality (a reality in which no one had voted for them if Spaghetti and meatballs had been on the ballot with them, that aside though). So the manufactured outcome of such an approval ceremony is a delicate thing to get right.
That makes sense...in the late 90s I stayed in Zwickau/Jena with my German friend and her family...they told me all kinds of stories...like if their family in W. Germany would send letters/gifts...the GDR officials would read everything and eat their chocolate or take any gifts...they would then get their package delivered already open and empty. 🤦♀
My God daughter is hoping to study philosophy at Warwick, this coming academic year. That is in no small part due to your influence on her, Vlad. She's found some of the frameworks you offer for examining the Ukraine situation really fascinating (and no, I didn't pressure her into watching you 😆) Best wishes.
That is so lovely to hear! Send her my warm wishes. If she has anything I could help with, around readings or interests, you guys should feel free to email me. And if it's a generic question, I could always take in in a Q&A on the philosophy channel.
AFAIK, philosophy is an unemployable degree. Why won't she major in something useful? And, if she loves philosophy (which I admire, BTW), she always can learn it for free by reading books and listening to podcasts.
The Putin regime situation: - relies on surovikin line (alternative is total collapse) - relies on theatrical election (alternative is total collapse) - relies on siloviki to stay down (a single dissenter can cause total collapse, see Prigozihn) Definitely not a stable future for muscovites.
- relies on Chinese support, while clashing with the Chinese over disputed territories and influence in Central Asia. - relies on fundimentalist Iran, while supporting Armenia against Iran backed Azerbaijan.
Watched questions to Putin on the news yesterday. Only a few minutes. Did any question appear about his successor or who would take over all mistakes he have made and correct them. ???
Thanks Vlad. Despite everything, I'm still astonished that most Russians go along with this pantomime. Surely there is some reasonable level of intellectual curiosity and sophistication in that society. Seemingly not. Looking forward to your further insight.
What do you even mean? Like, how do you even know what we think if you don't speak the language, you fucking retard? You are seemingly a retarded clown who just wants to feel superior to someone. 'Seemingly not'..
They don't know anything else. The missed the Renaissance and Enlightenment. Peter the Great dragged a largely unwilling population from the 12th century into the 17th mostly by force. Remember, Moscovy didn't become independent of the Mongols until the late 15th century whereas Kyiv dates back to before the fall of Rome.
Thank you for saying "most Russians", not "all Russians". It really makes a difference for Russian people like myself who do not wish Russia to continue moving in the direction it is right now. Gonna add a few words, if I may, about "going along with the pantomime". In my opinion, there are at least two factors to consider. Not an expert opinion, just a personal one. I had been under the influence of the first factor up until a certain point. It's something in the nature of "ignorance is bliss" when you are consent with what the officials have to say because you have a mindset of "these people taking the highest government posts, they must know something we, mere mortals, don't... they know better...". And the second factor is that many Russian people are overworked, earning just enough money to get by. This leads to concentrating all of one's energy on making a living, thus leaving no time and space for thinking about politics.
Using voting to demonstrate against voting, in a way that's accessible to absolutely everyone, was pretty clever, I think But I feel terrible saying anything because I don't want my voice to speak over that of the calls for justice *maybe, recognizing the existence of Russian nation based on a cultural movement alone, is specifically what inflames a nation still fighting for recognition
@@ak5659 Sorry I'm not trying to recommend anything. To be more helpful, Timothy Snider uses the WWII as the classic example of a culture that then gained recognition as a nation... mostly
The results stink of desperation on all levels. That the minions need to please the master and more important that the master need a high fake number..
@VladVexlerChat hi, how would you consider results and ramifications of "noon against Putin" on Russian emigres? In nearly every abroad polling station putin lost badly, even by official falsified results. Will this initiate more dialogue between EU and anti-war activists?
The problem with the "Putin Regime' is that it gives Russia absolutely no administrative philosophy for the continuance of governance for the post Putin era. Retaining some but not all aspects of the Soviets, a growing and expanding nostalgia of CZARIST Russia, and an obsession with portraying itself as having western type democracy appearances make it little more than a hodge podge held together by one charismatic man's use of power .
I wouldn't even describe putin as charismatic in a natural sense. All of the sham public appearances he does where he, for example, takes on corrupt officials or helps grant wishes for terminally ill or disabled children help in cultivating an image of a "strongman" but also a man who cares about his people. A lot of it is simply the propaganda efforts. If putin was in a room with an informed voter who could say whatever they'd like without consequences, he would quickly fall by the wayside because he's not academic, learned or good at debating. He's great at appearing like the real deal in an environment of zero opposition where everything is designed to make him look charismatic and deeply thoughtful in terms of the policies he implements.
@@ecaeas4439 He is charismatic to the Russian people in that he provides a link to the security provided by the Czars for over 300 years. An era that to a great degree is currently being romanticized in Russia. For 300 years Russia had the Czars, the aristocrats and the commoners. There is security in tradition in times of chaos.
The Will of the People sounds awfully similar to The Mandate of Heaven. Egyptians had this Sed festival, where phararoh proved their physical fitness and was recoronated. I really think a ritual is the correct word describing the Russian event, and it should had been reported as one. Even cheating is a part of the choreography, it's not meant to be hidden.
"What's happening in Russia is not an election. Millions of Russians will be voting, but not in an election. Call it an 'election-style event.'" Brian Klass for The Atlantic, March 14, 2024.
New Vlad video yay. Sir please try to to make as many as possible you are gold mine of knowledge on politics. Stay humble and true and stay awesome. Sir we are watching you with our whole family. You kinda opened a window to my grandpas soul as he was so manipulated by Russia. Propaganda and now he LISTENS.❤❤❤
I think with propaganda...if one hears the lies long enough, it is very easy to believe them...just like if one lies to them self long enough...they believe the falsehood...it's human nature...now even here in the USA we are losing touch with truth vs lies and doubting our own elections...once the seed of doubt is planted there is no going back. I guess in reverse Putin plants the seed of legitimacy and it is believed.
Its hard to feel sorry for people at the theater while thier husbands sons and friends. The people cant vote for anyone else , over fear of loosing for their lives and homes.
Vlad, some time ago (6, 8, 12 months ago?) you talked about a Russian author (Gogol? but maybe not) describing an imaginary election ritual. In this ritual the people would enter the town square and go through a ritual vote, knowing it was a pointless exercise. The point was to publicly debase themselves by carrying out a sham, knowing full well it was a sham. It was play acting in order to show how meaningless their lives were and how powerless the individuals were. I've looked unsuccessfully for that video. My question is how close to that fictional election is the current Russian election?? Thanks.
In districts with higher percentage votes on putin - will the election workers get a rise alt. the districts get lesser terror? (or is some kind of reward out of the question?)
I get the legitimation issue. I can’t help wondering about Putin himself, though. Does he believe his own lies? With so much manipulation, surely he knows the results are nonsensical. But somehow he seems to think it bears some relation to the truth.
Thanks, Vlad. What are the law/conventions of the international bodies on witnessing/observing an election? And what is the relation of such bodies to ICC concerning it's allegation on Putin's crimes?
So, this is like saying unless we include a hobby horse we aren’t pretending to ride horses correctly… to make an analogy to the “ritual” of this mock election?
In addition to selling the idea of how popular he is currently because of the 87%, i think he's sending a message to the West that he can do whatever he wants. 70%ish is so much more believable. So he wanted to send some messages with that percentage.
As things are, 70ish isn't believable either. The core base, aka the retiree, were happy with the pension increde but they aren't so happy when general prices go up and said pension doesn't buy as much.
@@puraLusa exactly. The war, the sanctions. It would have been much more believable to be in the low 70's, high 60's. He's sending a message to everyone inside and outside of Russia.
70% would also be absolutely remarkable. There will always be groups in society whose interests he does not represent, organised labor, the 25% in poverty, badly paid teachers etc in russias case. The highest vote in recent UK history was 51.6 % in the 1951 election (churchills landslide).
I feel that the majority must find good ways to be visible and safe by hacking the rules. Go at noon to the baker, just line up for 15 minutes and go home. Things like this, that can be totally legal, which blur the line between coincidence and demonstration.
Given what happens to dissidents in Russia, getting less that 99% support is a disaster for Putin. The population knows well how to play the game of not drawing attention to themselves.
Some facts here: 1. putin was the only candidate. 2. People were forced to vote for putin at gun point. 3. The government will report any figure they like; regardless of what people voted Given all that, 87% is a pathetic result.
I was surprised at the high figure claimed but in a wartime situation, it probably makes sense from Vlad's perspective. There will be a growing unease at the growing human and economic cost of the war among the population which must appear to be minimal and it will create a perception of the opposite, that the nation is highly supportive of it.
Main channel video on this -
ua-cam.com/video/w2OR1LoDkWc/v-deo.html
Vlad's main channel
ua-cam.com/users/VladVexlervideos
Support Vlad's work on Patreon!
www.patreon.com/vladvexler
Support Vlad via PayPal
www.paypal.com/paypalme/vladvexler?country.x=GB&locale.x=en_GB
The ritualism of the elections as a process of legitimization of Putin seems very much similar to how east roman emperors to the very end actually had processes of being deemed legitimate by the Senate in ritualistic pre-rigged votings as a representation of the people, despite the senate having long lost any power or representative ability being appointed by the most powerful of the nobility and the emperor himself in various cases.
This is because the emperors were not kings, but rulers given the rulership through the people's consent and thus they had do this process to get perceived & real legitimacy.
In a way Russia being the third Rome is closer to the truth than it has ever been before in this regard.
"legitimization" -- your English is awfully good though.
@@rdbchase You're good...I think most of us did not notice that either...but my spelling is atrocious and English is my first language...I have no excuse for my poor spelling.😄
@@suzannstrohmaier2578"legitimation" didn't sound right (but I checked before posting).
It is reminding me of what abusers do to their victims. Destroying their victim's chances for freedom and then forcing them to act out their loyalty, even when both sides know it's all lies. Power isn't enough until it's acknowledged by the conquered. Thank you Vlad, once again, for your insights.
This is what I'm terrified the U.S. is headed for.
@@kkpenney444 Unlikely. The number of people and institutions that would have to comply with violations of the constitution is too large. There is also the fact that each state elects it's representatives and the electoral college stands as an impediment to centralised dictatorship. The Democrat obsession with removing the electoral college is dangerous. The military are sworn to defend the constitution, not the regime, and they are not likely to abandon that responsibility. The constitution has worked thus far but the left have an unfortunate urge to denigrate it as archaic with no appreciation of the way it defends against the authoritarianism they claim to be afraid of.
Oh, spare me. The 'left' does no such thing to the constitution. There's only one party frothing at the mouth to vote for the guy who wants to shred it. @@nerdyali4154
I think it's not an easy thing to accomplish without the preparation of the battle ground that Russia has created over time. The US didn't have a Stalin, nor a Tsar or any number of things that Russia has had. Just continue to be vigilant and don't let the blighters get you down. I'll stand watch with you here in the US.@@kkpenney444
@@nerdyali4154 i'm a yank, middle aged now, just, & whose been quite steeped in the way things work in my country. You're partly right, and partly wrong. Electoral college doesn't really have anything to do with being an impediment to dictatorship. It really is more of a technical tool that can easily be replaced with more logical accountancy-based maths, and it probably should be. Not complicated to do so for smart folks in accounting/maths, the same way voter district maps are drawn, to be fair to populations and their accurate representation per socioeconomies of the districts etc. The Demoratic party has not even slightly denigrated the constitution in any what at all, so i have no idea what u are referring to?!?!? Really man, if u r getting this stuff from crazy sources like some of the advertisers here such as Prager U, and i forget the other main one that pretends it's mainstream but is in fact ultrarighting reactionary propaganda, pls just look up wikipedia or similar to validate/verify things.
Hi there from St Petersburg, Russia. Voted against Putin yesterday at noon. Never had any illusions nor expectations, and kind of expected more than 80% fake result in favour of Putin. In some aspect it's even better since a lot of people actually voted against him and it's a good soil for politicization. As a realistic pessimist I'm trying be optimistic here of course, and hope that there will be more wobble and error in the system, since it was forced to draw this kind of absurd percentage.
On the other hand I'm terrified by whats to come, and granted my life situation like borderline poverty and numerous serious health issues (ASD + ARFID and etc), I just wanna well.. live and not to pass away from starvation or something 😅
Honestly, in my opinion the biggest current threat in the world to Putin’s power and life are the Russian radicalists; the ultranationalists who are very evil and despicable people, but who are also honest about the war and do not lie (Igor Girkin is one such ultranationalist, and the Russian military bloggers have proven to be so reliable in their reporting that even the Institute for the Study of War uses them as an information source)
The ultranationalists are the group that Putin fears most.
I’m at a point where I’m willing to support even them if it means that Putin can be forced out of power.
Hope you will be ok. Bravo for your stance against the vain little pee.
@@TheSmokinducks thank you for support! 🙏
Tovarich, from mild maritime weathered New Zealand, glad to hear from you. Engaged in similar personal struggles m'self. So, two things, move south to the warm, and it sounds like Putin is 3 dings away from being 'topped' , 'gone for all money', or to be succinct -- beyond English idioms -- killed.
I have a feel and sympathy for Russians from reading your great writers so I can never dismiss you as dumb muzhiks destined to more of the same for ever and a day. Outraged at the thought, and Putin is the outrageous thought in one person now.
I hope you will be okay. I'm saying this just because, and also because I also have ASD and ARFID.
Take care. 👍
As a Russian, I am a bit afraid of what happens next. It’s like the lull before the storm. And the uncertainty. I hope I survive it and stay as humane as possible.
You think you're afraid?
The fact u are so conscuous of ur circumstance already makes u very humane. Hope u'll be safe.
@kkpenney444 it's not a race, there's enough anxiety to go around
Good people like you deserve better than putin. I hope you survive and prosper
As an American I never thought I could relate to what a Russian might feel. But we are also living under the same cloud here believe it or not and don’t feel like we have self determination either. It’s the medieval dark times and cycles of violence the world is under when men want to rule by force not by what’s good.
I took part in "Noon against Putin". I know this is not a lot, but I did, and it was a good day for me and my friends, as we all came to poll location in Dolgoprudniy. My friends are Phystech students and we were pretty much the first people there. When we came out, there was a queue. There are high chances that within that one ballot box Putin has actually lost to Davankov. Some other university locations have already openly stated such results. Also, having Boris Nadezhdin just walk past us asking "So, have you folks voted already?" was the cherry on top. I know it's not the glorious revolution stuff. It mattered though to everyone who came. Whatever makes us realize that us, the reasonable anti-war people in Russia, are actually many, is worth it.
Good on you and stay safe as you can.
Stay safe, stay brave, God bless.
Small steps matter. They build over time. Doing something - no matter how small - matters. Keep doing the small things and with hope, over time, things might change.
I think that autocrats have better options faking a majority than the majority having options to show themselves as such.
You did a lot. You should be proud.
It's my favourite thing when I reload UA-cam page and I see Vlad Vexler's video released "22 seconds ago". My day grows brighter.
So grateful . . . !
I second that emotion😊
After having witnessed the queues for including Nadezhdin, the anti-war candidate, in the ballots in January 2024, there is no doubt Putin does not have the amount of support they want everyone to think he has. Ironically, there were no queues for Putin's candidacy, just none.
A citizen of Belgorod, Russia.
Now, of only the people in Belgorod would revolt against Putin...
@@Ragnarok540 We are merely trying to survive the Ukrainian missile strikes that have been going on massively since March, 12.
As much as some of us are appalled by Putin’s politics, it is quite obvious that the missiles are sent from the other side of the border.
11 civilian casualties in less than a week.
@@Ragnarok540Russia has a gigantic apparatus for cracking down on disorder. A giant police force, a giant network of prisons & penal colonies & a huge national guard. It will be very difficult to truly revolt in any big way. The dissident armed groups that have tanks & military equipment are the best chance so far of challenging the structures of repression.
@@Ragnarok540 With arms that Europe sold and still sells to Putin?
Россия за Путина, там писал не гражданин Белгорода
Over and above the purely ritual aspect, could it be that the regime’s demonstration that it can dare and afford to conduct an elaborate and costly sham like this, and be completely confident that it can determine the result, is itself an exercise in intimidation of any potential dissidents? As in: ‘look, you know this election is a bad joke, and we know it’s a bad joke, but think about the fact that we have such power, that we can pull off a bad joke of this magnitude, just because we want to, just to twist the knife and flip the finger to you by showing you how helpless you really are’. Maybe I’m over-psychologizing, here, but I surmise that the kind of sadists who run the Putin crime organization could conceivably think like that.
Well whatever it is that Putin's cake is made of, and I have a pretty good idea judging by the smell, I wouldn't touch it myself.
Watch the main video that is linked at the end of this one (or in the description). Vlad elaborates on the kind of message Putin wants the results to send to dissidents in there.
@@pieterfaes6263 Thanks for the tip, missed that, will watch. Cheers.
@@Katoshi_Takagumi Good observation; maybe more people should trust their sense of smell, even figuratively.
@@normandduern2413 When you're exposed to highly malodorous substances one's sense of smell can be rather impaired (although perhaps only temporary). As someone who has worked with triethylamine often I can assure you that.
William Spaniel gave a very good explanation as to why the regime continues elections.
And it's simply because any announcement to stop elections would simply function as a politicising wake up call and a time for protestors to co-ordinate at, to the point that the protestors might not be so easily subdued by the security forces.
I saw his piece on this and thought it was very good. Concise and too the point.
No, even in soviet times there were elections, not because they were afraid of revolt, if They did not do it, but to show and test the power They have to select the outcome by riging who is allowed to run and see whether People still respect this arrangement by showing up to participate in the pointless ceremony.
RE: Spaniel
Saw his post on Russia's population tree. Seems the only demo Putin can't afford to lose is the older females. Especially the one's who don't have a man and no real prospect of ever having one. If so, then Putin only has to play the part of being "their man" in the Kremlin. If I were a babushka pensioner living between St. Pete and Moscow, his choices would be checking all my boxes...and, I'd be telling everyone who'd listen.
No. The electoral ritual is the regime's main mode of legitimation, via linking Putin to the people. If you removed that, they would need a different type of legitimating story.
@@VladVexlerChat I have asked you to kindly explain yourself with data not what your beliefs are...maximum here have NIL idea about anything...just like you..
I'm from Russia and I thought nothing would surprise me anymore, but these results seem like something beyond good and evil
And his very recent comments just added to the depravity of all of that situation. He is just dancing on the grave now, plain evil
@@stepanmakarov1842 АБСОЛЮТЛИ🥲
Why 'beyond'? Just clearly evil, look no further.
@@stepanmakarov1842 I've personally interpreted this rather by "peeing on the grave" on his part, but your point remains valid.
Still hope. Chaechescu got 94%.
Thank you, Vlad, for putting the "election" into perspective. Wishing you good health 🤗
Thank you so much.
@@VladVexlerChatthank you Vlad, for putting this election into "perspective". Wishing you good wealth
It seems to me that Zelenskyy had more legitimacy in his role as the president of Ukraine in the series Servant of the People than Putin has in his theatrical role as President of Russia.
Yeah that's why entire Ukraine is a sh*t hole....begging every now and then...with all women running to Europe and becoming sluts while he with multi million dollar homes world over hides inside a bunker....while common men are dragged from streets and sent to front line to die....that's something i know you won't notice...😆😆
lol
Пришёл за копиумом потому что хоть и ожидаемо но тоскливо всё равно. Спасибо за Вашу работу!
А я думаю получилось довольно хорошо
1. Я думал, что увижу человек 15 на мелком участке в 12 в Москве, а пришло минимум 100
2. Вроде у нас получается быть "злой кошкой", а не напуганной и забитой. Что надеюсь мешает свободно действовать власти
3. Чего-то ждать стоит от остального мира. Если будут поздравлять с победой на выборах, то только это реально обидно будет
4. И вроде мы ничего не потеряли, так что будем участвовать и в чем-то следующем, куда денемся то.... хе-ехех
@@meanmanul1939 Позорно видеть, как такие люди, как вы, с презрением и неуважением относятся к своим русским братьям и сестрам, которые были убиты в Украине неонацистами, убиты, защищая своих родственников на Донбассе в этой прокси-войне.
Это также позор для таких стран, как БРИКС, которые встали на сторону России против всего Запада, чтобы Россия могла получить всю необходимую поддержку, потому что более половины мира видят, что это НЕ Россия воюет на границе с НАТО, а НАТО на границе с Россией
Причина в том, что вам всем промыли мозги и вы не прочитали новости должным образом. Были подписаны мирные соглашения, такие как Минские соглашения I и II, и это Запад нарушил их, а не Россия. Точно так же в марте 2022 года Россия и Украина подписали мирное соглашение в Турции, и премьер-министр Великобритании Борис Джонсон сказал отказаться от этого мирного соглашения. Стыдно, что вы об этом не знаете.
2014 НАТО вооружает Украину для ведения войны с Россией. 46 биолабораторий, финансируемых США, Францией, Германией, Великобританией и другими странами, собирали образцы славянской ДНК для ведения биологической войны против русских, крупнейшей террористической атакой на гражданскую инфраструктуру на сегодняшний день является трубопровод «Северный поток», также в 2014 году избранное правительство на Украине было свергнуто в результате переворота США, и то же самое Запад пытался сделать в России, и позорно, что такие шутники, как вы, делают то же самое. кончить, как рабы Запада.. Я бы предпочел, чтобы таких русских, как вы, вешали до смерти.
Thank you for this video Vlad, you are looking well. This strikes me as an "Emperor's New Clothes" type of situation in a way. The necessary re-legitimisation of Putin's Presidency is, as with Stalin in the USSR, a license to make the locals "shut up and dance."
Worlds biggest waste of paper
At the demonstration in Berlin they had a fake election outside except the slot on each see through election box was just a shredder 😂
How many trees had to be cut down for their sham election :(
@@dangerousmind1121 clown
The highly experienced political expert , who has got the economy growing to 3.3% above all expectations , IS that the guy you are on about???@@dangerousmind1121
I spent a fair amount of time in a state that was a fake democracy, and I get what you are saying. Thank you for covering stuff other analysis so often misses.
Florida?
@@DSAK55 No. I can't really say where as I know at least one trollfarm operative takes notes on me personally, and I don't feel like being identified by a hostile state.
All I will say is that the people are lovely and deserve so much better.
@@DSAK55🤣
Ah, Iran then…
@@Muljinn I said I'm not saying.
Fabricating unanimity! Such a simple expression, yet so chilling!
thanx Vlad, your comments are helpful for understanding, this time and many times before
I tried calling your orange highlighter from my slide rule, but the line was busy!
You can also send a pigeon, but sometimes Vlad eats them.
@@begr_wiedererkennungswert ok will try that next... I suppose the polite thing to do is make sure to attach an Artusi recipe for squab with my message. Maybe also a sachet of herbs from my garden.
It's not particularly urgent; I hope he was having a nice chat with an old friend.
@@begr_wiedererkennungswert But with what wine? I fancy a Vouvray personally.
I genuinely cannot wait for the day we can speak of Putin exclusively in the past tense.
Vlad, you are a true academic, your five minutes is eight, but every second is interesting.
more power to you.
Too kind!
Really it’s an obedience ritual. It reminds me of that obscene scene where Trump had a bunch of syncophants fawning over him in the Oval Office.
Have you watched western democracy? Every politician displays themselves with people fawning over them.
@@renstein8210Hello again, renstein. Haven’t seen you in a while.
Still at the pro-Russian/anti-western work.
You know you aren’t going to change anyone’s mind here.
And you’re not going to make any of us “tired” and to want to stop being invested in Ukraine.
We won’t become depoliticised, no matter how much you try.
@@CMY187 I would consider myself pro-reality. And you are right, I won’t convince anyone of anything different here. I’m just waiting for the answer to my question. And if you happen to be from a western country, like I am, you should be ashamed of yourself and your leaders. And you should look for new ones.
@@renstein8210You're not from the west. Don't even try to bullshit anyone.
@@renstein8210 There are constant cases in western democratic countries where the political leader has to endure heckling, insults and accusations from oppositional figures.
There are debates, there are events where two or more sides are allowed to speak (LePen voicing her opposition to Macron).
There is none of that in the CCP, the Kremlin or the Islamic Republic of Iran.
No opposing voices are allowed to be stated directly to Vladimir Putin.
Russians who speak against the current ruling government are suppressed.
The only people allowed to be around Putin are people who constantly compliment and praise him.
Also I’m from Singapore.
I personally find it strange that people who claim that the west is completely bad tend to share their opinions using western electronic devices to post their words on the American-made Internet.
The Russian elites claim constantly to hate the west while wearing Italian suits, driving in German cars, flying in Canadian or French planes, and using Apple devices.
Thank you, Vlad. 👍
Many thanks for this "director's commentary" of the main channel video.Your insights on the 'election' are quite helpful in grasping the broader perspective.I know so much work goes into the main videos with script, graphics, editing,etc. that it makes me worry about you maintaining your health. Please take care.🌻🤔
Dear Vlad, Thank you once again for your well considered commentary. Like some others here, and elsewhere the Russian Elections serve two important functions, preventing any elections would be an obvious sign to the Russian people of the true nature of the Mafioso Regime and prevents the politicization of the Russian People ( the regimes worse nightmare ), and secondly it is an indicator of the level of success in how the Russian People are absorbing their alternative world view, and correspondingly, the success of their media creations.
Social Contract theory is based on the idea that it expresses the "General Will" of the people. Thanks for refreshing that idea, cheers! Honestly, I don;t know of many doing similar discussions, but I think you have it right.
"Election" is such a dirty word; I prefer to call it a "special political operation" 😉
What I took from Vlad's election video is that Putin does not the people's support so much as it needs the election result as a deterring weapon to prevent any alternative from presenting itself
It also has an effect in the general population, as a 80% result will make everyone suspicious that everyone else is pro-putin and thus self-censor. It acts as a control mechanism.
… and it is important for Putin to give to populists around the world the possibility to say: “who od the leaders in the West has so big support and legitimacy? So who are our leaders to criticize Putin?” And by giving the populists such a argumentational ammunition, he can undermine the democracies.
Ur considering that the so called populists are pro-putin. Ur conflating usa politics with other countries.
In my country the ones who are pro-russia is the comunist party, the populist is 1000% pro-ukraine.
I doubt even MAGA types would be fooled by this. The audience for this charade is not Western, or indeed anyone not Russian. I'll go all out: not even Tucker would buy this BS. This is a message for Russians, no one else.
Thank you for this video. I’ve been so annoyed with my local news in Quebec (Canada) for days now… and I’m sure it’s not the only place. They spoke about it so damn constantly and shallowly and I’ll be sharing your main channel video with my contacts sooo much… the thing also is that they want to cover it in a neutral manner, so I feel they almost end up indulging Putin’s fantasies by covering it the way they do.
Even sham elections fill the function of Soviet elections: they show an adherence to constitutional and legal ritual. It's similar to how the system has codified laws, but does not have the rule of law.
It's OK, Vlad. We could see how long the video was before we played it😉. Always a goldmine of information thank you!
Isn't there an aspect of the "subject supposed to believe" - as with money, Santa Claus, etc; it functions as long as people believe that others believe in it?
That's a good point. To what extent the general population is conscious.
Thanks Vlad ❤
Brilliant. Thank you
Always good to hear someone speaking the truth especially knowledgeable people like you Vlad. Many thanks for your expertise and explanations.
Ah, man, I wish we'd get couple of words from you on his "speech" he just gave
Lots of notable (outrageous mostly, but that's what they are) things there too
I love the unabashed confidence with which Vlad continues to predict his video lengths.
was waiting for your take. did not dissappoint.
Welcome back into my home vlad. You are always welcome😊
Side note: in East Germany (where Putin was deployed at the time btw) communal elections were held in summer 1989. The list of candidates (the list was the only thing on the ballot, they were asking for you to say Yes) by way of reporting in the state newspapers came in at some 98℅ approval from the voters. Now everyone knew that could not possibly have been true. Here's the kicker: in several unrelated conversations I witnessed people discussing how the regime did themselves in and should have instead gone for "maybe 85℅" to better address reality (a reality in which no one had voted for them if Spaghetti and meatballs had been on the ballot with them, that aside though). So the manufactured outcome of such an approval ceremony is a delicate thing to get right.
That makes sense...in the late 90s I stayed in Zwickau/Jena with my German friend and her family...they told me all kinds of stories...like if their family in W. Germany would send letters/gifts...the GDR officials would read everything and eat their chocolate or take any gifts...they would then get their package delivered already open and empty. 🤦♀
My God daughter is hoping to study philosophy at Warwick, this coming academic year. That is in no small part due to your influence on her, Vlad. She's found some of the frameworks you offer for examining the Ukraine situation really fascinating (and no, I didn't pressure her into watching you 😆) Best wishes.
That is so lovely to hear! Send her my warm wishes. If she has anything I could help with, around readings or interests, you guys should feel free to email me. And if it's a generic question, I could always take in in a Q&A on the philosophy channel.
AFAIK, philosophy is an unemployable degree.
Why won't she major in something useful? And, if she loves philosophy (which I admire, BTW), she always can learn it for free by reading books and listening to podcasts.
@@VladVexlerChat That's very generous of you, thank you!
I wonder what kind of discussions take place when deciding the percentage number of putins win.
The Putin regime situation:
- relies on surovikin line (alternative is total collapse)
- relies on theatrical election (alternative is total collapse)
- relies on siloviki to stay down (a single dissenter can cause total collapse, see Prigozihn)
Definitely not a stable future for muscovites.
- relies on Chinese support, while clashing with the Chinese over disputed territories and influence in Central Asia.
- relies on fundimentalist Iran, while supporting Armenia against Iran backed Azerbaijan.
Thank you vlad
Watched questions to Putin on the news yesterday. Only a few minutes. Did any question appear about his successor or who would take over all mistakes he have made and correct them. ???
I saw CNN calling it a landslide victory lol
Good journalism wouldn't say that, just report facts.
Thanks Vlad. Despite everything, I'm still astonished that most Russians go along with this pantomime. Surely there is some reasonable level of intellectual curiosity and sophistication in that society. Seemingly not. Looking forward to your further insight.
I'm still astonished that more Russians didn't go along with the farce
What do you even mean? Like, how do you even know what we think if you don't speak the language, you fucking retard? You are seemingly a retarded clown who just wants to feel superior to someone. 'Seemingly not'..
They don't know anything else. The missed the Renaissance and Enlightenment. Peter the Great dragged a largely unwilling population from the 12th century into the 17th mostly by force. Remember, Moscovy didn't become independent of the Mongols until the late 15th century whereas Kyiv dates back to before the fall of Rome.
ua-cam.com/video/Iw2emZSUZvw/v-deo.htmlsi=ZW5ye1wumwZluhzh
Thank you for saying "most Russians", not "all Russians". It really makes a difference for Russian people like myself who do not wish Russia to continue moving in the direction it is right now.
Gonna add a few words, if I may, about "going along with the pantomime". In my opinion, there are at least two factors to consider. Not an expert opinion, just a personal one.
I had been under the influence of the first factor up until a certain point. It's something in the nature of "ignorance is bliss" when you are consent with what the officials have to say because you have a mindset of "these people taking the highest government posts, they must know something we, mere mortals, don't... they know better...".
And the second factor is that many Russian people are overworked, earning just enough money to get by. This leads to concentrating all of one's energy on making a living, thus leaving no time and space for thinking about politics.
"There was no opposition leader, we killed them all". Vladimir Vladimirovich P.
Using voting to demonstrate against voting, in a way that's accessible to absolutely everyone, was pretty clever, I think
But I feel terrible saying anything because I don't want my voice to speak over that of the calls for justice
*maybe, recognizing the existence of Russian nation based on a cultural movement alone, is specifically what inflames a nation still fighting for recognition
What would you recommend as a other mode of recognition?
This is a situation that's been going on for centuries.
@@ak5659 Sorry I'm not trying to recommend anything.
To be more helpful, Timothy Snider uses the WWII as the classic example of a culture that then gained recognition as a nation... mostly
Thanks
I don't call Putin the president anymore anyway. I call him the Underpants Poisoner.
Always a pleasure, especially so in the dark context. Thanks, Vlad.
Im a simple man Vlad uploads i klick! Just signd up for votes counting in my hometown for EU-Parlament Election in early summer, its mega interesting!
But 87% is the lowest figure that is compatible with Putin’s ego.
Unlucky number. Unlucky putin.
The results stink of desperation on all levels. That the minions need to please the master and more important that the master need a high fake number..
During Sowjet time elections in GDR (east Germany then) were won by 99%. And in the end they’ve won by 101% 😂😅
One has to give Putin credit for capitalizing on historical Soviet democratic make-believe.
@VladVexlerChat hi, how would you consider results and ramifications of "noon against Putin" on Russian emigres? In nearly every abroad polling station putin lost badly, even by official falsified results. Will this initiate more dialogue between EU and anti-war activists?
"87? those are rookie numbers" - Kom Jong Un probably
In my opinion, It is an expression of power. Creates a perception that the power is pervasive.
The problem with the "Putin Regime' is that it gives Russia absolutely no administrative philosophy for the continuance of governance for the post Putin era. Retaining some but not all aspects of the Soviets, a growing and expanding nostalgia of CZARIST Russia, and an obsession with portraying itself as having western type democracy appearances make it little more than a hodge podge held together by one charismatic man's use of power .
I wouldn't even describe putin as charismatic in a natural sense. All of the sham public appearances he does where he, for example, takes on corrupt officials or helps grant wishes for terminally ill or disabled children help in cultivating an image of a "strongman" but also a man who cares about his people. A lot of it is simply the propaganda efforts. If putin was in a room with an informed voter who could say whatever they'd like without consequences, he would quickly fall by the wayside because he's not academic, learned or good at debating. He's great at appearing like the real deal in an environment of zero opposition where everything is designed to make him look charismatic and deeply thoughtful in terms of the policies he implements.
@@ecaeas4439 He is charismatic to the Russian people in that he provides a link to the security provided by the Czars for over 300 years. An era that to a great degree is currently being romanticized in Russia. For 300 years Russia had the Czars, the aristocrats and the commoners. There is security in tradition in times of chaos.
Thank you good sir
The Will of the People sounds awfully similar to The Mandate of Heaven. Egyptians had this Sed festival, where phararoh proved their physical fitness and was recoronated. I really think a ritual is the correct word describing the Russian event, and it should had been reported as one. Even cheating is a part of the choreography, it's not meant to be hidden.
I won, yay I guessed 87 per cent. .... Oh shit
"What's happening in Russia is not an election. Millions of Russians will be voting, but not in an election. Call it an 'election-style event.'" Brian Klass for The Atlantic, March 14, 2024.
There are three things in life you can't choose. Where you are born, who are your parents and the president of Russia.
A more colorful form of legitimation would be a coronation and anointment with holy oil.
Does the state know who each individual voted for?
New Vlad video yay. Sir please try to to make as many as possible you are gold mine of knowledge on politics. Stay humble and true and stay awesome. Sir we are watching you with our whole family. You kinda opened a window to my grandpas soul as he was so manipulated by Russia. Propaganda and now he LISTENS.❤❤❤
I think with propaganda...if one hears the lies long enough, it is very easy to believe them...just like if one lies to them self long enough...they believe the falsehood...it's human nature...now even here in the USA we are losing touch with truth vs lies and doubting our own elections...once the seed of doubt is planted there is no going back. I guess in reverse Putin plants the seed of legitimacy and it is believed.
Its hard to feel sorry for people at the theater while thier husbands sons and friends. The people cant vote for anyone else , over fear of loosing for their lives and homes.
Thanks!
Very good point! Those types of rituals are characteristic of countries that have "People's Republic" in front of their name.
Thanks vlad been waiting slava ukraini 🇺🇦🏴
Vlad, some time ago (6, 8, 12 months ago?) you talked about a Russian author (Gogol? but maybe not) describing an imaginary election ritual. In this ritual the people would enter the town square and go through a ritual vote, knowing it was a pointless exercise. The point was to publicly debase themselves by carrying out a sham, knowing full well it was a sham. It was play acting in order to show how meaningless their lives were and how powerless the individuals were. I've looked unsuccessfully for that video. My question is how close to that fictional election is the current Russian election?? Thanks.
Gogol is Ukrainian
Any update about russans voting in Avdeevka
87?! LOL! That really is taking the...
In districts with higher percentage votes on putin - will the election workers get a rise alt. the districts get lesser terror? (or is some kind of reward out of the question?)
No, but punishment for not voting Putin is already in place. Certain districts get disproportionately conscripted into the meat grinder.
Who was it that predicted 86%? Olbermann? Beau? Good job, Beau.
Thank you
Hey! Ever seen the coronation ceremony of the British monarchy?
Yes. Why?
Watch 1420 from the other day. Older guy gave a brilliant insight into the mindset of modern day Russians.
I get the legitimation issue. I can’t help wondering about Putin himself, though. Does he believe his own lies? With so much manipulation, surely he knows the results are nonsensical. But somehow he seems to think it bears some relation to the truth.
Thanks, Vlad.
What are the law/conventions of the international bodies on witnessing/observing an election?
And what is the relation of such bodies to ICC concerning it's allegation on Putin's crimes?
Orban just got a Argentina passport
So, this is like saying unless we include a hobby horse we aren’t pretending to ride horses correctly… to make an analogy to the “ritual” of this mock election?
👍 Algo Go Go ⭐️⭐️⭐️
People in locked glass rooms shouldn’t stuff perspex ballot boxes, even in a fake ritual 🤦🏻♀️
In addition to selling the idea of how popular he is currently because of the 87%, i think he's sending a message to the West that he can do whatever he wants. 70%ish is so much more believable. So he wanted to send some messages with that percentage.
As things are, 70ish isn't believable either. The core base, aka the retiree, were happy with the pension increde but they aren't so happy when general prices go up and said pension doesn't buy as much.
@@puraLusa exactly. The war, the sanctions. It would have been much more believable to be in the low 70's, high 60's. He's sending a message to everyone inside and outside of Russia.
70% would also be absolutely remarkable. There will always be groups in society whose interests he does not represent, organised labor, the 25% in poverty, badly paid teachers etc in russias case. The highest vote in recent UK history was 51.6 % in the 1951 election (churchills landslide).
I feel that the majority must find good ways to be visible and safe by hacking the rules. Go at noon to the baker, just line up for 15 minutes and go home. Things like this, that can be totally legal, which blur the line between coincidence and demonstration.
Russian Central Election Commission: "Honest ELECTIONS - an event to OVERTAKE the government! We will not allow it to happen" :P
This is a political version of the flat earth society!
"Media coverage terror"? In this thumbnail... Or media coverage error?
Given what happens to dissidents in Russia, getting less that 99% support is a disaster for Putin. The population knows well how to play the game of not drawing attention to themselves.
Sir you are a Jordan Peterson of geopolitics.
Love vlad’s videos and his intellectual explanation of putins weird kleptocracy
Its theatre so Putler doesnt have to do any real work to improve his country
Some facts here:
1. putin was the only candidate.
2. People were forced to vote for putin at gun point.
3. The government will report any figure they like; regardless of what people voted
Given all that, 87% is a pathetic result.
Right? should of been 99.9% minus the couple people shot for refusing...🤔 I think they were even trying to get Russians in Ukraine to vote 🤦♀
I was surprised at the high figure claimed but in a wartime situation, it probably makes sense from Vlad's perspective. There will be a growing unease at the growing human and economic cost of the war among the population which must appear to be minimal and it will create a perception of the opposite, that the nation is highly supportive of it.
Churchill lost the 1945 election. Electorates have multiple concerns.
Russians are "the khan is always right" golden horde.