Tsar of the Nobles and Tsar of the Peasants

The editors of Hedgehog approached me with a request to comment on an interesting situation. The magazine published two articles under the pseudonym Boris Suvarin. After which a meaningful discussion broke out on the forum, in which, by the way, an interesting conclusion was made: “Darling - it’s me!”, i.e. Boris Suvarin = Leonid Radzikhovsky.
Interesting... But no, “I’m not Souvarine, I’m different.”

We will respect the author's pseudonym. Moreover, SUCH. After all, signing “Boris Suvarin” is something like “Vlas Doroshevich” or “Ilya Ehrenburg”. Well, there were probably motives... In any case, fear of the powers that be hardly matters - in the same “Hedgehog”, on “Grani” and more abruptly they write under their own names. But I repeat: if a person wants to write under a pseudonym, it is his right, his business.

As for the content, I liked some of Souvarine’s “aphorisms”. Very successful, in my opinion, is the definition: “Oil is free dollars in a historical mousetrap,” or the evil definition of “Ours,” an explanation of the “territorial integrity of Russia,” “corruption,” etc.
The second article is less interesting, although it did not raise any particular objections to me. She's banal. It is, in fact, difficult to argue that we have a “imitation political system.” A hacky imitation, I would say, imitates an imitation... This can only be challenged for a lot of money - or with a strong hangover. And to confirm this for the 1001st time - well, why not, as they say... In general, in this part, all the texts are so repeated that no matter who writes them, no matter what name they sign, little changes. “The music is liberal, the words are liberal.”

Further, unless Leontiev or Shevchenko will begin to dispute that “the mast bends and creaks” - the creaking goes along the entire vertical, spreading over thousands of kilometers. And in general, it is difficult, standing under the “Pisan vertical of power,” not to notice the strong angle of inclination. I would just like to note that not every creak is a harbinger of collapse. The history of any country is creaky - do not forget about it. Although, of course, to rebuild a System that manages to wobble a) with high oil prices, b) in the absence of organized opposition, c) with complete obedience of the population - this requires a lot of effort. Nevertheless, to the joy of some and the grief of others, the same vertical may well “reboot its head” and successfully continue to live and creak, already under the next “savior of Russia.” I think, to be honest, this is what will happen.

In general, I would risk renaming the article “Bullshit as a National Idea” - no offense to the respected author - “The Myth of the USA” as a National Idea of ​​Russia.” This, in my opinion, more accurately expresses the idea of ​​the article.
The idea is also well known. The painful, tragicomic fixation on the “arrogant neighbor” (who is not a neighbor at all) is an ugly consequence of “catching up with backwards development.” Volumes have been written about this in a variety of genres. This is officially recognized: for decades, the slogan of the CPSU was borrowed from Ellochka the Ogress - “Catch up and overtake!” True, the results turned out to be more serious - if Mrs. Vanderbilt did not notice the existence of E. Shchukina, then the United States was very, very afraid of the USSR.

But many proud Achilles could not catch up with the vile turtle of American capitalism - Germany, the USSR, Japan... It is possible that China will suffer the same fate - contrary to the prophecies of American political scientists who are burying their country with pleasure. In any case, to the question “Why is America not Russia?” The answer, in my opinion, is obvious: “Because such questions do not occur to America!”

And the president there does not suffer from sleepless nights, “where to jump from the Vertical?!” — there is no such “vertical” there, and around the White House there is not asphalt in a vacuum, but powerful social flora and fauna. Live in freedom and be happy, walk and whistle... An insoluble problem can be solved simply - it IS NOT. People live, you understand...

But where I would argue with “Souvarin” is in the explanation. You shouldn’t reduce everything to TV propaganda. They are not the cause, they are the EFFECT. The author, however, talks about the “power complex,” but in a very superficial way. And this is a capital thing.

Russia really has a special path. The only country in the world in the New Age that a) does not belong to Western Europe, b) did not close itself off from Europe behind the “Chinese wall” c) and at the same time did not submit to Western Europe, but successfully resisted it. Such a story is a source of pride, both salutary and self-destructive pride. The result was a combination: a nuclear resource power, the heir of Byzantium.

Centuries of defensive-catching-up development could not pass and were not in vain. The self-identification of the Russian people, Russian civilization, Russian statehood was and is built on a dialogue with the West, a dialogue that includes both exaggerated interest and harsh opposition to the West, the West, from where all the “challenges” came - both threats and incentives to move. All this gave rise to the corresponding psychology: “worldwide responsiveness” + anti-Western suspicion, reaching the point of persecution mania.

Now the world has INCREDIBLY changed, there are no REAL threats of VIOLENCE from the West - but psychology, especially the self-identification of a nation, cannot change so quickly (although it is also changing). And it is on this psychology that state propaganda PARASITIES, solving the immediate selfish tasks of the bureaucracy, “divorcing” the people. “The rams walk in a row/They beat the drums./The sheep themselves provide the skin for them.” That’s all true, but you shouldn’t limit yourself to this resoundingly offensive formula. We must remember WHERE this march began, and think - WAS THERE AN ALTERNATIVE TO IT? Now there is definitely an alternative - but how can it ORGANICALLY be introduced into the mainstream of Russian psychology and history? Here's the question!

This concludes the conversation about Mr. Souvarin’s articles.
But, to develop the topic, I would like to draw attention to one interesting phenomenon that directly relates to that very “vertical”.
Actually, this is a completely DIFFERENT article, but, as they say, so as not to get up from the computer...

So. Many probably watched the duel between Mikhalkov and Yerofeyev. I won’t comment on it or throw another stone at Mikhalkov. He's already been hit hard enough - he'll manage without my hoof.

However, here's what's interesting. Exactly a week before, I participated in a “duel” on the same topic. Prokhanov and Zlobin stood there at the barriers. Everything is the same: Is Putin a tsar or not a tsar? Anointed and savior - or so-so, signing papers? So Prokhanov WON, and Mikhalkov, who defended the same position, lost - and DAZGINGLY.

Of course, at such shows they play not a ball, but a player - they vote, first of all, for/against some duelist. Zlobin and Erofeev are much less famous people than Prokhanov and Mikhalkov. So the “people” (let’s generalize!) voted “for” Prokhanov and “against” Mikhalkov.

But these people themselves - Prokhanov and Mikhalkov - are iconic figures, representing some kind of socio-psychological types.

Of course, there is also the people’s love for the people’s artist - a general envy of his “height and bust.” Well, how could it be otherwise?! And a mustache, and fame, and money, and property, and parents, and children, and everything that is possible... The saint will go mad!

The unkempt and unhealthy Prokhanov (B. Suvarin gave him a run for his money!) evokes sympathy among many. Well-groomed Mikhalkov - hardly.

But of course that’s not the point at all.

It is clear that - according to all polls - a huge majority is FOR keeping Putin as president, FOR a third term. So they vote - in accordance with their views - for Prokhanov. But - AGAINST Mikhalkov.

Why?

Because the majority of Putin’s supporters do not need the TSAR OF THE NOBLE! And their love is the KING OF THE PEASANTS!

Mikhalkov is considered insincere, fake, and Prokhanov is considered sincere, “sick.”

Because of their biography? Yes. Because of origin? Without a doubt. Because of Mikhalkov’s courtly lackey arrogance and Prokhanov’s cliquish anguish? That's right.

But all this also has a political equivalent.

Mikhalkov needs a “tsar of stability”, a tsar who protects his estate, his feudal privileges, a civilized and orderly tsar. The king with whom “it’s not a shame to go to Cannes.” The king, as he, in reality, only happens to be - the king of landowners and officials. He definitely doesn’t need the “king of massacre”, Stalin. No way! It’s clear that the Mikhalkovs lived under him and didn’t grieve, but thank you, no more is needed, they are “tired of the sun.” They've had enough lighting fixtures.

And Prokhanov “screams at the kingdom” of a completely different king! Breakthrough-rupture-separation and other... “literature”. But a number of images are clear. Stalin. Peter. Grozny. A completely different pair of cuffs!

Vertical - yes. But gilded, with “Tsereteli eagles” - or an unpainted, knotty log! Is there a difference?!

Eat. There is a “white vertical” on which new nobles and officials sit, eat pineapples, chew hazel grouse, dangle their legs, throw skins down - and there is a “black and red” vertical on which nobles and officials are impaled, to the very top of their heads, so that their skins they're sliding down!

Mikhalkov, of course, is for “white”. And this is perceived by the patriotic viewer as a human and SOCIAL FALSE. Not only Mikhalkov himself is “false” - his ideal, his vertical, his tsar are considered “fake”. “Vertical” - so that it would be more convenient for THEM to sit on US?!

Prokhanov is also not for the “black and red” - he has little guts for this, he is a bit old and a bit of a coward. But the people in their “inspired babbling” hear the grinding of such a vertical. And this seems “sincere” to the people; here they “SENSE THE TRUTH.” Why? Because – unconsciously – they strive for this. TO THIS ARCHETYPE OF THE KING. Vertical - so that WE give THEM a shortening! And “they” are not only Western enemies (and Putin... is being almond-y with them!), but also INTERNAL OFFENDERS! Oligarchs - and, oddly enough, not only Friedmans! Not only that. Not only oligarchs, but also officials, bribe takers, new nobles...

And criticism of Putin, as a rule, comes precisely for these reasons - “tsar of bureaucrats”, “pro-Western tsar”. Vertical - but not the same. “But there is hope that it will be ours - finally!” The hope is that he will soon throw off this “mask” and - hitting the ground vertically - will turn into the “KING OF THE PEOPLE.”

Am I exaggerating? Of course. Nobody says it so clearly, and most don’t think it through.

But the intention is just that.

Have a nice vertical to you, Nikita Sergeevich!