Hudson Institute holds conference on “Russia’s Presidential Transition: Will We See a Medvedev Thaw?”

The conference revolved around the issue of whether we can expect to encounter an era of liberalization when Dmitry Medvedev becomes president next month. Daniel Kimmage, Senior Analyst for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, began the event by showing a mini propaganda film from the Russian government that was inundated with pro-Russian images calling for people to participate in government. He focused on certain false assumptions people have of authoritarian regimes, such as that they 1) insist on a single party line; 2) want total control of the media; and 3) fight freedom online by restricting access to websites. It was interesting to learn that such is not the case for Russia. By walking the audience through the “United Russia” website, Kimmage demonstrated how the Kremlin approach incorporates the use of an ideological umbrella, with seeming variety and real accountability and democracy missing, and virtual politics, through various methods of marketing that create an illusion of choice but a reality of control. The most appealing aspect of Kimmage’s argument, however, was that instead of restricting websites, the Kremlin floods the internet with them to provide a wealth of attractive “alternatives,” and let opposing voices sound but be drowned out by the deluge. By doing this, the Kremlin can avoid an outcry over censorship while still controlling the ideology market.

Andre Piontkovsy, Visiting Fellow of the Hudson Institute, tried to provide a more optimistic view or the situation, stating “Freedom is better than no freedom.” The fact that the Russian people are given the opportunity to sift through the state sponsored propaganda and find the actual alternatives, the fact that they actually exist, is better than nothing.