Mikhail Leontyev, woodpecker of power: “The so-called liberals do not need a “democratic” government, but a weak one!”

The 9th issue of the magazine "Political class" for 2005 published a conversation between journalist Mikhail Leontiev and columnist "Political class" Sergei Shapoval.

During the conversation, mainly devoted to the evolution of M. Leontiev's ideas about liberalism and scenarios of a possible revolution in the country (and the destructive role of the intelligentsia in such a revolution), M. Leontiev (who said to himself that he is not a "nightingale, but a woodpecker of power who is trying to to hammer something of his own, sacred into her skull" ) made a number of statements about liberalism in general and Russian liberalism in particular. "The effective liberal doctrine according to Hayek and Mises" , he believes, is harmonious in its own way " and, like any myth, unattainable. And the real "modern liberalism is a geopolitical orientation. Therefore, liberals are extremely cynical and extremely indiscriminate even in their own liberal concepts. They very easily compromise with a liberal conscience. The main thing is the geopolitical orientation: THERE is a lamp of reason, freedom, prosperity and, importantly, personal and property security, so you need to go into this world ". The liberal doctrine implies the complete irresponsibility of the authorities for the result of economic activity, says M. Leontiev and cites as an example Herman Gref.

resist the possible disintegration of the country, "change the vector of development" According to M. Leontiev, only Putin can , however, "it is difficult for the president to overcome liberal totalitarianism, ... the total dictate of quasi-liberal dogmas and doctrines" : "... the only thing that he [Putin - ed. ] can do: propose a National project addressed directly to the people, through the head of these very intermediaries. What is liberal democracy in the mind of this public? This is its need as an intermediary between the people and the authorities ... The so-called liberals do not need " democratic "power, but weak!"

M. Leontiev recalls his text "The Restoration of the Future of Russia", dedicated to "changing the vector of development", and remarks: "It seems to me that the necessary and sufficient minimum is formulated there, from which one can start . "

Sources

• Mikhail Leontiev: It is difficult for Putin to overcome liberal totalitarianism // Political class. 2005. No. 9.