Russians appeal to Putin that he is misinformed about reality

The tone of most Russians’ appeals to Putin is pleading rather than demanding. Public anger is aimed at his courtiers—ministers, generals, and governors—who presumably are not telling him the whole truth about mounting problems. Attempts to attract the benevolent attention of the leader are typical in autocratic political culture, which in Russia is reinforced by a long tsarist tradition. Putin may find comfort in this still solid credit of public confidence, but must worry about the next phase, his “loyal subjects’” discovery that he has little power to address their problems, and does not really want to hear about them. Putin’s reading of Russian history is selective and superficial, but he should remember at least a few of its many records of absolute rulers swiftly transmuting into despised losers. Procrastination is often a wise political choice, except when troubles are brewing and time is running short.