This is really great. I always find it inspiring when the people rally and work in unison against corrupt and unfair practices. Could this be an early sign of Russia’s emerging middle class?
n most countries, only emergency vehicles, such as ambulances and fire engines, enjoy the heady power to exceed speed limits, run red lights, move against traffic, and compel other drivers to yield. But in Russia, an estimated 5,000 officials and, reportedly, many wealthy businessmen, now sport a blue flashing light with siren on their cars – the migalka – that entitles them to make up their own road rules.
The practice has existed at least since Soviet times, but is only now being challenged by a small but determined grass-roots coalition of angry motorists. Some observers see the protest as a sign of an emerging middle class willing to take on Russia’s elite. They want this special privilege cancelled for everyone except, maybe, Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“The unequal relationship between Russian citizens and their state can be seen most vividly on the roads,” says Vyacheslav Lisakov, head of the Free Choice Motorists’ Movement, which has about 5,000 members nationwide. “There are basically two castes in our society, one of which is totally outside the law. The rest of us have no choice but to defer to them, and swallow our humiliation.”
…Hundreds of motorists, organized through the Internet by Mr. Lisakov’s group, staged protest rallies around Russia. A month later, another court acquitted Shcherbinsky. “That was a victory for civil society,” says Lisakov. “If we hadn’t demonstrated, I’ve no doubt Shcherbinsky would still be rotting in prison.”
I hope China’s middle class is watching. As their numbers grow, so too grows their power, even if they don’t realize it and even if they say they don’t care (“We’re too busy making money, why should we care if the government is corrupt?”) Grotesquely privileged classes are not a given. They exist because we let them, and they exist at our expense. Come the revolution….
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By China Law Blog
I am surprised to see this in Russia, where so often the people talk about the need for a “strong leader” and where customers are generally treated like dirt and accept it. If the Russian middle class can rise up ….
June 13, 2006 @ 1:24 am | Comment
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By Ivan
I’m not surprised to see it at all.
I could offer some further thoughts, but I think I’d just be swarmed on by the CCP-noise-machine like happened the last time I commented at length about Russia.
Any suggestion that Russia is actually strong and free and prosperous- and becoming stronger and freer and more prosperous – all as a direct result of ending the Communist dictatorship, is a strict taboo for the CCP. Thus, if it’s discussed at any length here, the noise machine will go on full blast, and then the supporting chorus of “fair and balanced” commenters will do their bit too, so that the real story and discussion gets buried…
June 13, 2006 @ 3:22 am | Comment
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By Ivan
I’m not surprised to see it at all.
I could offer some further thoughts, but I think I’d just be swarmed on by the CCP-noise-machine like happened the last time I commented at length about Russia.
Any suggestion that Russia is actually strong and free and prosperous- and becoming stronger and freer and more prosperous – all as a direct result of ending the Communist dictatorship, is a strict taboo for the CCP. Thus, if it’s discussed at any length here, the noise machine will go on full blast, and then the supporting chorus of “fair and balanced” commenters will do their bit too, so that the real story and discussion gets buried…
June 13, 2006 @ 3:23 am | Comment
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By Some Guy In China
Maybe this sort of rights awareness is possible in Russia where people generally have a “tough” reputation.
In China, where much of the same sort of blatant law breaking goes on daily, Chinese people shrug it off. I think culturally, the Chinese are really pussies when it comes for standing up for their rights…be it individual or societal.
June 13, 2006 @ 6:18 am | Comment
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By Ivan
PARADOXICALLY enough (given my reputation here), I am going to come to China’s defense, against what “Some Guy In China” said in his above comment.
Sir, you have no idea what you are talking about, with regard to Russia OR China.
The “rights awareness” in Russia IS stronger than any such awareness in China. Far stronger, yes. But it has NOTHING to do with Russians having a “tough reputation.” It has far more to do with how Russia never went through any cataclysmic “Cultural Revolution” like China suffered through. Yes, Russians ARE more free, and more conscious of their rights, than the Chinese. But the main reason is because Russia never went through total chaos like China did under Mao.
And regarding your remark about the Chinese being “pussies” when it comes to standing up for their rights – well, now you’ve pushed me toward the other side, in defense of the Chinese people:
…it has been HARDER for the Chinese to stand up for their rights, than it has been for Russians, at least since 1949. Because, even during the worst phases of Russia’s Communist regime, there was always some semblance of the rule of law. But China, under Mao, lost all semblance of law or of order.
It’s EASIER for Russians to stand up for their rights, than it is for the Chinese.
And so, Sir, regarding you remark about the Chinese being “pussies”: No Russian would ever say that. And no American who ever fought in Korea would ever say it.
Barbarians? Well, yes, there are some good reasons to call Communist China a barbarian country. But “pussies”? No one, NO ONE who has ANY respect for martial valour, would ever say that about the Chinese.
Barbarians? Maybe. Pussies? Anyone who calls the Chinese “pussies”, can eat my shit. Because it’s dishonourable to say that about ANY country whose warriors have demonstrated as much valour – and as much martial honour – as the Chinese have demonstrated.
This is just a matter of honour. I will NOT countenance hearing ANY real warriors called “pussies.” So, “Some Guy In China”, on behalf of my Chinese friends AND my Chinese enemies, you can eat my shit.
June 13, 2006 @ 12:48 pm | Comment