All Articles - Institute of Modern Russia

The Home Stretch: the Magnitsky Act in Congress

Details: World

The Home Stretch: the Magnitsky Act in Congress

Details: 27 July 2012; Vladimir Kara-Murza

On July 26, 2012 the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee approved the repeal of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, which had been passed in 1974. Last month, key Congressional comittees had unanimously passed the Magnistky Act, a law imposing severe sanctions on those who have violated human rights in Russia and elsewhere. Vladimir V. Kara-Murza, a leading Russian journalist, activist, and, until recently, the RTVi Washington Bureau Chief, reports on the repeal of the historic amendment and the passage of the Magnitsky Act. As he explained to IMR, Kara-Murza was forced out of his position at RTVi because of his participation in the preparation and advocacy for the expansion of the Magnitsky Act.

Why Russia Can't Have a Public Television Network

Details: Politics

Why Russia Can't Have a Public Television Network

Details: 25 July 2012; Tatiana Stanovaya

The first two months of Vladimir Putin’s latest presidency have effectively ended the dialogue between the authorities and opposition forces. Putin’s administration has passed stringent new legislation on non-profit organizations; imposed de facto censorship on the Internet; and publicly persecuted opposition leaders and demonstrators, among other anti-democratic offenses. Against this backdrop, the state is also finally creating a public television network. Presumably, this new outlet will be another tool the government uses in to attempts to turn public opinion in its favor instead of a forum for building a healthy media environment Tatyana Stanovaya, head of the Center for Political Technologies analytics department, explains why public television as it is understood in the West won't thrive in Russia.

My Perestroika DVD Now for Sale at myperestroika.com

Details: Nation

My Perestroika DVD Now for Sale at myperestroika.com

Tracking Classmates From Soviet Childhoods To Putin's Russia

Details: 24 July 2012

After festival screenings in over 30 countries, 'My Perestroika' has finally arrived on DVD. The film premiered at Sundance, was broadcast nationwide on PBS on the POV series, and received the prestigious 2012 Peabody Award. To purchase it, please visit 'My Perestroika' website, where the DVD is sold for purposes of both institutional/educational and home use. The DVD includes over an hour of deleted scenes and interviews. All DVDs are Region 0, and can be shipped overseas. "This is a small independent film, supported by grants and donations from individuals. Purchasing your DVD via myperestroika.com ensures that maximum assistance is provided to alleviate the production and distribution costs we’ve accrued", Hessman explains.

The Krymsk Syndrome

Details: Politics

The Krymsk Syndrome

Details: 23 July 2012; Olga Khvostunova

This month's flooding in the southern Russian town of Krymsk, which left 172 dead, have illustrated two important new realities of Russian politics. First of all, public trust in the government has reached the point of no return as, by and large, statements issued by government officials are now seen as lies by many in Russia. Secondly, due to the ineffectiveness of government measures, growing numbers of citizens’ groups have appeared in order to fill the gap, effectively creating alternative agencies of self-government.

Debunking Putin's Newest Myth

Details: Nation

Debunking Putin's Newest Myth

Details: 18 July 2012; Alexander Yanov

There is an unspoken consensus in contemporary Russian political discourse that 'Putinism' does not constitute an ideology. However, this consensus may blind political observers to the emergence of a new approach of legitimizing Putin's regime, namely, a mythology of the unique nature of the Russian civilization. Historian Alexander Yanov discusses the philosophical foundations of this approach, decisively demonstrating that Putin's new ideological project has more bark than bite.

Oases in the Investment Desert

Details: Economics

Oases in the Investment Desert

Details: 17 July 2012; Igor Booth

Although this June’s St. Petersburg International Economic Forum was intended to make Russia more attractive to foreign investors, it instead revealed that promises from Russian officials no longer hold water in the international business community. According to independent economic analyst Igor Booth, in order to successfully promote investment growth, Russia needs to better adapt to the post-crisis economic climate.

Staggering Facts about Russian Corruption

Details: Nation

Staggering Facts about Russian Corruption

Details: 12 July 2012

The idea of Vladimir Putin as the safeguard of economic and political stability is deeply embedded in the Russian psyche. This groundless perception emerged during favorable economic times, and was used by the political elite to manipulate the public. Uncovering and publicizing the truth about the current situation has proved an essential and effective means of fighting corruption. IMR presents the latest fact sheet from Good Propaganda Machine, a project recently launched by opposition leader Alexei Navalny. This fact sheet features some of the most shocking numbers related to the current regime's corruption and the country's general deterioration.

Russians Demand Change; Study Foresees Crisis

Details: Nation

Russians Demand Change; Study Foresees Crisis

Details: 11 July 2012

This May, the Center for Strategic Research (CSR) published a report entitled "Society and the Government During Political Crisis" The controversial document asserts that the full-scale political crisis in Russia is only escalating and presents scenarios for its further development. Overall, the CSR's prognosis for the current regime is unfavorable. IMR analysts detail the report's key provisions and review responses to it in the Russian media.

Magnitsky Act Passes, Russia Reacts

Details: Nation

Magnitsky Act Passes, Russia Reacts

Details: 09 July 2012; Olga Khvostunova

On June 26th, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Magnitsky Act, a bill prohibiting foreign human rights violators from entering the U.S. and giving the government the right to freeze their American bank accounts. While it was being developed, it became a source of tension in U.S.-Russian relations. As a result, in response to the bill’s passage, Russian authorities have aimed their ire at foreign-backed NGOs. Nonetheless, despite the bill’s symbolic significance, it will not seriously impact the bilateral relations between Russia and the United States, argues IMR analyst Olga Khvostunova.

The Human Rights Council Deprived of its Rights

Details: Politics

The Human Rights Council Deprived of its Rights

Details: 03 July 2012; Tatiana Stanovaya

The Kremlin has been pursuing an increasingly hardline policy toward autonomous and opposition-minded agencies. The law on the liability for participating or organizing protests has been made more punitive; opposition leaders have been subjected to apartment searches; the authorities have made the first arrests of the so-called 'provocateurs'. Now the Kremlin is flexing its muscle by imposing new regulations on the Presidential Council on Civil Society Development and Human Rights. Officials apparently believe that government-affiliated body has failed Putin's test of loyalty. The chasm between government and society is seemingly becoming unbridgeable. Tatiana Stanovaya, head of the Center of Political Technologies analytics department, describes the intricacies of the relationship between Russian human rights advocates and the government.

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