the Pandemic of coronavirus is continuing in Russia. The problems that it brings, compounded. How can it affect relations of people and power? Why is the Russian management model was more effective in an emergency than Western? Do not wait for the country’s social turmoil? This “MK” asked well-known expert on elites, doctor of sociological Sciences Olga Kryshtanovsky.
Olga pandemic, with all the attendant factors, creates some tension in society. Can it somehow affect the relationship of the elites in our society, lead to some redistribution of spheres of influence?
-Here is the core of the problem lies in the fact that you said “between the elites”. That is, you the word “elite” used in the plural. And I think that in Russia it is possible to speak only “elite” in the singular. Why? Are you suggesting that we have some other elite, who are fighting among themselves. Type “tower of the Kremlin.” I was convinced of quite the opposite: we elite absolutely monolithic one. It cannot be the other.
All people that show some dissatisfaction with the lack of understanding of the position of the head of state, the rejection of some government decisions, they just go to the periphery of the political process. They are not the key players. All who are admitted into a key holder, constitute a single organism, a community of like-minded people. Their eyes turned upward. They take their cues, listen to the commands that come from the top. And between them there is no debate. There is a hierarchy, a chain of command. Here’s the thing.
And this is one of the features, and if you want advantage of all authoritarian systems. This is the power of this kind of device the public and political life. Let me explain. When everything is normal in society, a management model is bad. In calm conditions, when development is necessary to look for efficient solutions, to argue, to organize debates, to compete with each other – an authoritarian model loses.
But when a crisis, when you need to quickly and decisively make decisions, to make a sharp maneuver here not to dispute, not to ascertain. Here we need to mobilize. The elite, of this type in Russia instantly mobilized under the solution of the problem. This is its strength.
Now, however, there is a restructuring of the management system in connection with the pandemic. Work operational headquarters. And this restructuring happen inconsistencies. For example, one mayor said, to walk no further than a hundred meters from the house, only to your nearest store. On the same day a major Ministry issues a circular: you can go to a big supermarket, they will be open, it is allowed. There are inconsistencies, but this is not a debate, not the diversity of opinions.
Like, there is a different setup from the officials that are againstwerecat each other. But it’s not because they have a different point of view. But because “when you rebuild the column” there are little glitches. They are very quickly eliminated. Team members agree, and then the overall system is going on.
the Difference is huge with the democratic elite, which is constantly arguing about where may not agree. For example, the President trump says one thing and some the Governor of the state says: we know best how to solve the issue in our region.
Something is an emergency pandemic, it may even lead to the consolidation of the Russian elite, its strengthening?
In principle, Yes. There occur two processes: one out of the elite, the rest of the rally. Those who misunderstand the point, do not know how to “decode” the words of the Supreme commander, they are out of the game.
We can see how sometimes, in some region the head of “wanted as better, and it turned out as always”. Did not understand, did not, have not done so – yet, it is a candidate for retirement. People who are ejected from the system. And those who are doing everything right, quickly, promptly, efficiently they are raised. They have a sense of elbow joint team. That is, the elite in the crisis is cleared and the core is strengthened.
it Turns out that we, in the management model is not for a normal life, and doomed to wait for an emergency?
-If without any details, I would say: “Yes.” In developed democracies, all built by a good prosperous life. And we are under a crisis and we are ready to mobilize under crisis.
however, There is one “but”. You used the word “normal” in the sense that there is a normal system, and we have not normal. This is the wrong question. We have a completely normal authoritarian society. However, now they say not “authoritarian” and “hybrid,” that is, authoritarian society with elements of democracy. It is natural for a country in which for several centuries was dominated by autocracy. It is impossible to get rid of its history, it’s a long process of development. We just don’t have people who are carriers of democratic practices. So that’s okay too. Authoritarian societies have a longer history than democratic, precisely because they are sustainable.
-Okay, calm down. The pandemic will end sooner or later. Then what awaits our society, including the elite?
-As I said, during the crisis exposed shortcomings. We see that some leaders do not pull, can not effectively solve the problem. Therefore, some of the people just leave after the crisis. But this is elite, its condition. But the problems do not stop there.
the main problem is the relationship of government and society. Here we have lots of questions, and they are multiplying.
the Crisis has advantages to the government. Here popthe amendments to the Constitution. Such a painful question. So the power of thought how to spend how to make how to persuade people to come to vote? Now, against the background of the pandemic it became to not care about the Constitution. The question now is the survival of the country on the agenda. The artist in the song about the coronavirus is the mood caught: Yes, even 75 years the retirement age do, and the amendments to the Constitution 15 times per week take. Still!
People are busy with survival issues to another level associated with life and death. Now all the tinsel has disappeared: the stars, the empty shows, the endless vanity fair – all this suddenly became secondary. This has certain advantages: under the guise of coronaries, you can make serious political maneuver. Then, of course, there will be issues, criticism of decisions. But it will be then. Perhaps the government will use this advantage.
But there is a minus for the government. And he’s very serious. The opposition was not very numerous. Part of it was discredited. But now the situation may change. Those who were neutral to the government, can now join the opposition. Irritated, abandoned, impoverished, they can change the political neutrality into active protest. Every inaccurate decision power multiplies the number of angry citizens. So after the crisis we can expect the growth of the opposition, to strengthen it.
look: in Moscow, 15 APR staged queues in the metro – thousands of outraged. Confusion passes, penalties – disturbance increases. The social network is filled negative comments.
I study the blogs of MPs, governors and other leaders. Standard pattern: the official says that the good he did for people. For example, built the hospital. And in the comments – kilometres of “comments” with claims to power.
you Know, all sorts of failures are in favor of the opposition. The power of protest is strong. When you feel better, it can be very hard hit by the elite.
you Know, an American scientist made at the time the analysis of all revolutions which have ever occurred in the history of the various countries. And found that revolutions happen not when society is on the bottom of the crisis, and when it starts out, a small rise.
So the danger for the elite is now not visible. It’s not at the peak of illness and death, and when the situation will get better, and all this accumulated irritation, fear, depression will result from the apartments.
So the government is now more dangerous not split within the elite. Unlikely it happens, it’s controlled well. The danger in consensus with society. Consensus on the need to work.
