Translated material
People
Fresh impressions from Bolotnaya.
First. There are a lot of young people – perhaps the majority. It is not true that only the Nazis have youth. No, “normal” political movements also have it.
Second. In general, people are an intelligent middle class. Reasonable, calm, NORMAL faces. I didn’t notice any city madmen, revolutionaries, or notorious “provocateurs.”
Third. The mood - as far as I could tell - was CALM. Absolutely not aggressive, much less aggressive than the slogans of the rally.
Fourth. All this looked more like some kind of folk festival, a holiday. Moreover, it’s not even a “holiday of disobedience,” but simply a holiday.
Fifth. And this is the MOST DANGEROUS FOR THE AUTHORITIES.
Sixth. This is dangerous because these people do not “hate” power. They don't "despise". Don't "fight" it. They OVERCAME it. For them it is just YESTERDAY. "Shadow, know your place."
This is the problem for the authorities!
They hate you - you hate. They fight with you - you fight. They despise you - you despise. You may lose, but there is a CHANCE to win.
The authorities are, at least theoretically, ready for such a struggle.
Seventh. But what to do here?
You, the authorities, are YESTERDAY for these people.
But they, the people (I apologize for the expression!) CANNOT be YESTERDAY’S DAY for the authorities!
If such people become the majority (not the arithmetic majority, but the ENERGY majority), then this is TOMORROW’S DAY for the authorities. Inevitable, like the change of night and day.
But even if these people do not become the energy (and even more so do not become the arithmetic) majority, then it is still UNCLEAR to the authorities how to “deal” with these people.
Because the authorities are accustomed to being the Authority. That she is Important, Beloved. Even if it’s hated, everything is better than “yesterday’s” than nothing at all. This feeling - at least from a part (but not a small part!) of society - is painful and unbearable for the authorities. It does not interfere with her picture of the world, with her self-esteem.
Eighth. Consequences.
If the authorities start banning rallies, they risk getting into big trouble.
Because these are NOT REVOLUTIONARIES. These are peaceful inhabitants. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BAN THEM.
The revolutionary is READY to be prohibited from speaking, walking, holding rallies. He WANTS this, this is his goal. “Fight and search, find and hide.”
The peaceful man in the street does not understand: HOW CAN IT BE BAN?! How can HIM be prohibited from peacefully gathering? Are we prisoners? Slaves of power? Is Putin the Tsar? Or Stalin?
And NO ONE in the country will understand the ban on SUCH rallies. SUCH a ban is “out of line”; it contradicts the unspoken agreement between the people and the authorities.
And talk about “old woman Clinton’s agency” won’t fly. These 35-40,000 Clinton agents will not understand such talk. And 400,000 of their friends and relatives will not understand. And 4,000,000 of their acquaintances and friends of their friends will not understand.
Ninth. So the authorities are faced with the most serious challenge. Because he is NOT JOKICALLY “REVOLUTIONARY.” Because he is CALM.
These people KNOW without words that this is THEIR city. THEIR country. THEY are not guests here, not lackeys, not subordinate to the authorities. If they are clearly explained: “No, guys, you are making a big mistake! You are just “subordinates”, you are just lackeys, you are nobody and there is no way to call you here,” then the reaction of people, tens, hundreds of thousands, will be simple.
REVOLUTION.
Tenth. These people don't want a revolution. And they don’t think about her. And they will not support the revolutionaries. If the authorities - the people - do not provoke them.
Hence the conclusion.
If the government is sane (and I know VERY sane people in it), then it will accept the formula for peaceful coexistence. Peaceful rallies. Including non-stop mode.
And from here it’s just one step to a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT COUNTRY.
The best that has been accumulating in the country all these years has been released and taken to the streets.
Now the authorities will have to ADAPT to this better situation. Otherwise - otherwise see above.
And to “adapt” for the authorities means to PURM. In fact, understand that it is far from royal, not absolute. And in general, she is far from the MAIN one in this society. Even if she takes up 90% of the airtime and has a lot of money.
Eleventh. If the authorities realize this, a completely peaceful, even BENEFICIOUS evolution of the regime, the dismantling of the Vertical, should begin.
How many years it will take is impossible to estimate.
But I hope that it will be IRREVERSIBLE.
Because changes in the minds of people - many - have ALREADY become irreversible. And this is the first time the authorities have encountered this.
And not only her. For example, I was also pleasantly surprised by what I saw.
PS. Many are interested in the “sensation” about my participation in Surkov’s meeting with journalists.
I have known V.Yu. Surkov for 20 years. I have publicly condemned and condemned many things in our politics associated with his name. I highly appreciate his intelligence and his personal qualities. Moreover, I consider him my friend. I also spoke about this publicly. I consider it necessary to repeat this – especially NOW.
I participated in his meetings with political scientists, journalists, etc. many times. This fact was never “hidden”. If they call me, I'll come again. These meetings are not “secret”; I didn’t hear anything at them that the same people wouldn’t say publicly. Naturally, no “instructions” are given to anyone there, no “common point of view” is developed.
I have never in my life been a member of any parties or organizations, nor have I been subject to any corporate ethics or discipline - neither liberal, nor patriotic, nor any other. I am on my own. God willing, I will continue to live this way – whether someone approves of it or not.