WIll Russia improve its image with new man Dimitri Medvedev ? Can Russia move away from its post Cold War grim ?
Its usual practice around the world to hire a PR person if somone need to improve his or her persona. In most cases, a PR guy can do alot – even bring about drastic changes for good. But, can a country hire a PR to improve its image among fellow world nations ? If so, Russia need a PR person more than anyone today. World is disappointed with the Russia’s crawl back to psuedo-democracy under Putin.
Democracy is still a unseen thing among Russian People. They had a little taste of it with Boris Yeltzsen, but it was a bitter experience, resulting in a powerless Russia whose economy was fast tanking. Then came Putin. With in years, Putin was another Putin, revamped and all powerful czar-like figure. Even though Putin was not another Stalin, world began to become more concerned with his anti-democratic policies – lastly, to “vote-elect” Medvedic to Prime Ministership.
What can Russia do to change itself from its current road to psuedo-dictatorship. Firstly, and mostly, change its image. For example, take positive and constructive steps towards world and humanity as a whole. Releasing Yukos CEO Mikhail Khodorkovsky will be such a fine step. Medvedic should use such step to promote and increase PR Rating [PRR].
It should also increase dialogs with neighbouring and power growing economies like India and Russia. Russia should avoid nasty exchange of words with US too. It should hope for a peaceful solution about the much-talked US radar scenario. I am not saying it should give in to the US’ hand.
For sure, Russia has changed, changed from misty and mouldy streets to fast and thriving cities and mall centers. its young population, like every other country’s, bubbly and exuberant. Russia or Moscow were earlier identified with words like pogroms and Gulags. Russia need to take that weight of past atrocities from its shoulders to reach out to be in hand-in-hand with Asia’s fast growing giants.
Russia’s recent step to allow British fans to enter and watch UEFA champions league in moscow with a VISA and match ticket was really a fantastic move in the right diirection by the authorities. Oodles and Oodles of such steps are what needed to step up the gear of Russia in the World stage.
Russia should cooperate not only with emerging Asian giants but also its ex-country men. Russia should revamp its cultural and economic ties with such ex-Soviet Union countries around Russia.
More than anything, a step towards democracy will be the biggest step on any available scale in international politics. No development is possible without strong base in democracy – take the example of Pakistan as a cool example for the need of strong democratic base in the country.
Lack of democracy will destroy any nation – typical example, Pakistan. India and Pakistan became independent on the same week. But, India now is far better and well equipped for the new century. Pakistan is still tottering around the same point. This is a very good picture of importance of democracy in a country. Hope Medvedev can bring about revelutions of changes for Russian people in coming years.
