Comments on: Tears for Lenin http://waleshome.org/2009/11/tears-for-lenin/ Independent analysis from and about Wales Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:09:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Bleddyn Edwards http://waleshome.org/2009/11/tears-for-lenin/comment-page-1/#comment-2082 Bleddyn Edwards Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:54:49 +0000 http://waleshome.org/?p=4452#comment-2082 Having spent a month living in Moscow during the spring of 1993 as part of a University exchange I felt I witnessed just a small part of the Russian transition from Communism to Capitalism. When I was there, Capitalism was already in full swing and a new era of consumerism was taking hold. The stark contrast between the have and have-nots was already apparent with people lining up in the streets outside the relatively new department stores trying to sell whatever they had (sometimes just a single pair of shoes), while those with the money flaunted it with expensive western cars, clothes and jewelery. Exclusive nightclubs and cocktail bars were open to those who could afford them. Even as a student I felt positively wealthy compared to the majority of people there. The most disturbing thing was the very evident Russian mafia who were embodied on the streets by small groups of mean looking men in dark suits and overcoats. Anecdotally I even heard that the buskers had to pay protection money for their pitches. It wouldn't surprise me if this atmosphere of oppression still pervades today and that the people who've always benefited from Russia's huge wealth and resources are still those at the top today. They just wear a 'Capitalist' hat rather than a 'Communist' one. Having experienced all these disturbing overtones during my visit, it was still an incredibly rich experience and a fascinating place to witness during that period of change. Given the opportunity I'd go back again today, just to see what has changed, but also to see what has remained the same. An intriguing article and one that has sparked off some vivid memories. Having spent a month living in Moscow during the spring of 1993 as part of a University exchange I felt I witnessed just a small part of the Russian transition from Communism to Capitalism. When I was there, Capitalism was already in full swing and a new era of consumerism was taking hold. The stark contrast between the have and have-nots was already apparent with people lining up in the streets outside the relatively new department stores trying to sell whatever they had (sometimes just a single pair of shoes), while those with the money flaunted it with expensive western cars, clothes and jewelery. Exclusive nightclubs and cocktail bars were open to those who could afford them. Even as a student I felt positively wealthy compared to the majority of people there. The most disturbing thing was the very evident Russian mafia who were embodied on the streets by small groups of mean looking men in dark suits and overcoats. Anecdotally I even heard that the buskers had to pay protection money for their pitches. It wouldn’t surprise me if this atmosphere of oppression still pervades today and that the people who’ve always benefited from Russia’s huge wealth and resources are still those at the top today. They just wear a ‘Capitalist’ hat rather than a ‘Communist’ one. Having experienced all these disturbing overtones during my visit, it was still an incredibly rich experience and a fascinating place to witness during that period of change. Given the opportunity I’d go back again today, just to see what has changed, but also to see what has remained the same.
An intriguing article and one that has sparked off some vivid memories.

]]> By: Daran Hill http://waleshome.org/2009/11/tears-for-lenin/comment-page-1/#comment-2074 Daran Hill Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:22:52 +0000 http://waleshome.org/?p=4452#comment-2074 A very engaging article. "Don’t pay our prices, don’t get our gas, and to Hell with who else it affects. Crude, but effective. Direct and to the point. Very Russian." Hit the nail on its head, certainly from the way the energy super power is perceived from the west. Your observation about "Tsarist" traditions continuing is well made. Interesting to see the rate of economic growth under Putin, though. A very engaging article.

“Don’t pay our prices, don’t get our gas, and to Hell with who else it affects. Crude, but effective. Direct and to the point. Very Russian.” Hit the nail on its head, certainly from the way the energy super power is perceived from the west.

Your observation about “Tsarist” traditions continuing is well made. Interesting to see the rate of economic growth under Putin, though.

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