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About examination without kneeling
Around Russia
About examination without kneeling
April 30, 2013 Petr Verzilov
In his article “And once again about Russian“ strategists ”, Alexander Shumilin made an attempt to develop a discussion about the relations of the expert community and the authorities.
By stating “The kneeling of a considerable part of the mentioned community before the authorities, and therefore the zero effect of this community in terms of generating realistic ideas about the strategic vision of the interests of Russia”, the author cites the Council on foreign and defense policy. An example, in my opinion, is not just unsuccessful, but completely non -suitable.
The swap, formed in 1992, at the initiative of several prominent representatives of the expert community (without any participation, power, by the way), does not fall under the definition of “umbrella structures of power”, which the author discusses. The main thesis of the kneelwood, which passes through the entire article, is absolutely not applicable to swap, as, by the way, to the author of the RSMD and InSor. It is simple to verify this - it is enough to re -read numerous reports of the Council, to visit its annual assemblies and meetings (in which Shumilin himself actively and repeatedly participated).
In all these materials, written on a variety of and topical topics for Russia, it will not be possible to find a panegyric of power, with all the desire. But tips and practical significant recommendations are more than enough. Moreover, recommendations coming from the members of the Council with a variety of, sometimes opposite political views. By the way, the author of the article himself at one time admitted that, thanks to his organizational principles, “swap and became the“ intellectual platform ”, which encounter different, sometimes polar views” (A. Shumilin. “The pre -crisis congress of the winners.” Izvestia, March 26, 2002).
It should be recalled that the swap was created as an expert, and not a political organization designed to declare its political purposes, sympathies and antipathies - consent or disagreement with a particular course. This is a matter of political parties, which are more than enough in Russia now.
But the council always expressed his recommendations, very often not coinciding with the “general line”. And the recommendations of the members of the swap were not in demand thanks to the non -existent desire to please the Kremlin, but because their authors were highly qualified specialists.
That is why the “swaps” are invited and their examination is appreciated at a variety of “distances” from the Kremlin’s towers, of “revealing rapprochement” with whom the author accuses the advice. That is why the "swap" are members of the expert councils of key institutions of power. But with only one difference - they do it not “kneeling”, but very often criticizing the initiative generated in the power and offering their professional adjustment.
In conditions when, as Alexander Shumilin himself noted, swap managed to unite different, sometimes “polar views”, his hints of some ideological unity of council are completely groundless in the council. Therefore, his assertion is that the provisions of one of the articles of the “leaders of the swap” (!?) As if they were some “basic theses” of the Council have nothing to do with reality. Those who really monitor expert publications remember that under the reports of swap, really expressing the fundamental positions of the Council on certain problems, usually there are several dozen (!) Signatures, but not one. The “Chairman Statement” style was never accepted in Swep, and could not be accepted.
As for the Kremlin grants, they did not see them in Swup-otherwise the headquarters of the council would not move from a small room to even less. And would look much more representative. Both Swalp's expert reports and its events are carried out at the expense of more or less wealthy domestic, but by no means “Kremlin grantors”, including with the support of not very wealthy ordinary members of the Council.
Now about the sponsors of the "Valdai Forum", the co -organizer of which is the swap. In search of truth, I called the old comrades in RIA Novosti, which is the head organization of this event. I was informed that the agency every time appealed to different regions of Russia with a request to support this initiative and there - far from everywhere and not immediately - but it is possible to find funding from extra -budgetary funds.
This practice, by the way, exists in other countries. I (and some other “swaps”) have repeatedly been involved, for example, in representative conferences in Italy on international security issues, which were carried out with financial support for local authorities.
In the context of the mentioned article, it is appropriate to notice that people with a truly high and fundamental civil position, called its author as “Ryzhkov-Khakamad-Satarovs”, for some reason critical arrows do not bother with swap (kneeling organization?). Moreover, I have never heard from any of many opposition representatives actively participating in discussions at meetings of the Council, accusations of aiding power.
As for Shumilin’s proposal to “disconnect in order to unite on a new basis” (which, in essence, is the exact tracing of the 1900 Lenin call “decisively and definitely striking” for the purpose of the subsequent unification), then, if someone has enough strength and authority to lead this process, then it is possible. But this will already be an organization based on other, not expert (“swap” principles, but in political positions, in fact not distinguishable from the political party (without “mixing positions”, as the author calls for this). In addition, we all know too well than, in the end, the Leninist adventure ended.
In the article by Shumilin, in general, an attempt to get closer to the consideration of fundamental problems was made, but instead of a serious conversation in order to attract attention, the author seems to have decided to start with a noisy “overthrow of authorities”. The attempt was unsuccessful, the critical charge was spent in vain - the wrong goal ...
Author - member of the swap
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