Putin In Russia In The Development Process Stage

Undoubtedly, President Vladimir Putin wrote a new chapter in Russia. During his rule, Russia has been face-lifted gradually from all-sided chaos and decline to a stable and prosperous situation. Russia's ascending influence on the world arena brought back the pride of an ever-seen great power to general Russians. Although the past eight years under Putin's rule was transient against Russia's long history, his achievements and contributions deserve a study and evaluation. In the first place, Putin's rule was in the middle of Russia's another drastic and unexpected change. The extent of this unprecedented change, which started from the late of 20th century and was featured with transformation to the western mode, was not less important than the socialist revolution in the early of 20th century. At the very beginning of this transition, ex-president Boris Yeltsin, the first generation leader, answered "what Russia will do", but "how Russia will do" was to be answered by the second president Vladimir Putin. Putin initiated Russian New Thought. Under the slogan of re-strengthening Russia and making people well-off, Russia led by Putin has registered a remarkable achievement and initiated a new development road with Russian characteristics. Nevertheless, Putin's rule was short and there left a lot problems and uncertainties. Where Putin led Russia is still unsure so that people frequently argue about the question "where Russia would go", which must have been answered at the beginning of transformation. Would Putin lead Russia to a real democracy or to the past totalitarianism? This argument has not ended up until Putin left his office. In the second place, just as the leaders in the transition period or wartime, Putin himself got people's much attention, let alone he is an extraordinary charming leader in Russia. New times match new hero who needs opportunity in addition to his competency. To some extent, the times produce their heroes and hero shapes history. So it is a dramatic combination between times and hero. Both the role of Putin in Russia and the significance of Russia to Putin deserve people's concerns.Russia, as an ever-seen superpower in the past and an influential great power at present, its policy tendency and prospect is being studied around the world. But whenever people seem to make a clear judgment or conclusion toward Russia, the reality often goes beyond prediction just as the Soviet Union suddenly broke up and Putin emerged mysteriously. In fact, since Kiev-Rus built the state in 9th century, Russia has been looking for a specific road. Naturally, Russia under Putin's rule is also characterized with some uniqueness. It goes without saying that his rule is filled with some uncertainties which are not only the difficult points to be studied but also an interesting point and puzzle without any results. After all, there was no prediction about the Soviet Union Break-up. As a matter of fact, the purpose of this study is not intended to prove something or to predict something but to give the readers a general review of Putin's rule which will become history very soon.The dissertation is aimed at making a comprehensive analysis and generalization of Putin's governance ideas and all-round progresses in his 8-year regime. The paper includes an introduction and body which consists of three parts with seven chapters. In the introductory part, the author analyzes the reason for choosing the subject, introduces the studying fruits at home and abroad and expounds the study methods, structure and main ideas in the paper.Part I with three chapters is about Putin Doctrine, i.e. Putin's governing ideas. It sets forth the essence and main points about Putin Doctrine. Chapter I involves the essence, philosophical bases, ideology and major components of Putin Doctrine. In essence, Putin Doctrine, a model of authoritarianism, is featured with not only the general characteristics of authoritarianism but its peculiarity. The philosophical basis of Putin Doctrine is realism, which is in line with Russia's national interest. In other words, Putin Doctrine proceeds from Russia's reality and embraces pragmatism with seeking truth from facts as its methodology and dialectics to resolve Russian real problems. The ideology of Putin Doctrine is centered on Russian New Thought which constitutes the theoretical foundation or guiding principle of Putin Doctrine. The main points of Putin Doctrine are related to rejuvenate Russia, pursue independence and democratization, establish an effective economic order at home and follow a balanced diplomacy. Chapter II introduces the historical causes, practical backgrounds and limitation of Putin Doctrine. The biggest difference between Putin Doctrine and other governing thoughts and reform doctrine is that it draws upon various useful ideas to the greatest extent and caters to the general public opinions. In a sense, it is a continuation and development of almost all the successful reforming practice done by the previous statesmen. It also sums up Russian popular social reforming theory and practice. Moreover, a normal life experience, a rational life philosophy and Russian normal quality which is characterized with loyalty and responsibility to nation constitute Putin's strong personality in his rule. However, the limitation of Putin Doctrine is those conflicting values such as authoritarianism and democracy, tradition and modernity, which were not frequently integrated and coordinated well in practice.Part II, with three chapters, is about Putin's Rule, which mainly discusses the real practice of Putin's rule with Putin Doctrine as the main thread. This part touches Russian politics, economy and diplomacy. Almost all the subjects are controversial and uncertain, such as centralized power and democratization in politics, policy options and energy crisis in economy, self-control and pursuit for a great power status in its diplomatic strategy. The aim for this part is to give an all-sided picture of Russia under Putin's rule.Part III, titled with post-Putin, mainly discusses Russia's future after Putin leaves his office. As a president with an overwhelming authority, Putin's leaving his post in 2008 would produce a certain impact on Russia and the whole world. In the coming years Putin would act as the chairman of the ruling party, United Russia and take charge of the Prime Minister. People are thinking about how the powers will be shared among Putin and Dmitry Medvedev. Will he dismiss and replace his successor just as Deng Xiaoping did in China if he is dissatisfied with the coming president? But from Russian reality, Putin's governing ideas would continue in the future at large.