General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIs there any action that Putin could take that would elicit massive protests from his people?
Doing a thought experiment.
Can you think of any scenario that would bring the people out in overwhelming droves of protests all over Russia?
Reason I'm wondering is because if there is *anything* that would elicit such a response, then the problem right now is *not* that the Russian populace feels impotent to stop Putin--it's that they truly don't care enough about what is happening in Ukraine.
lame54
(35,138 posts)The twist being they have to be convinced of it
At this point it's fake news
Sneederbunk
(14,207 posts)intrepidity
(7,241 posts)I still see Russians posting YouTube videos, and they can read the comments, wherein the world is telling them what's happening. And that's just one example.
The info is available to them. I'm coming to believe there is some willfull ignorance going on.
SoCalDavidS
(9,998 posts)intrepidity
(7,241 posts)brush
(53,469 posts)llashram
(6,265 posts)if pukin can get his general to fire off one...escalation after that IF he's not overthrown along with his rogue general(s) they are a barbarian culture and vicious historical precedent. And I'm not talking just about WW2 where Russian officers were shooting their retreating soldiers who were ordered to attack en masse with no weapons.
Claustrum
(4,845 posts)because Putin is controlling what's being reported and how it's being reported. Now, if he starts killing Russians in the country for whatever reason, then they might revolt against him. But I have no idea why Putin would do that.
lpbk2713
(42,696 posts)When the Russian citizens can't get food and medicine they will let Putin know their feelings.
intrepidity
(7,241 posts)It will take more time for the effects to be felt.
lpbk2713
(42,696 posts)intrepidity
(7,241 posts)ripcord
(5,084 posts)But the results of the economic sanctions could very well lead to massive protests.
deminks
(11,006 posts)Link to tweet
If verified, it might push people over the top. I dunno what else might do it. Pooty is so depraved, I don't know how low is the bar.
mopinko
(69,806 posts)i'm guessing they dont know about the mobile crematoriums back home either.
these days, w everyone having cellphones, they wont be able to hide the number of missing and dead.
Tomconroy
(7,611 posts)what happens.
bluewater
(5,376 posts)Let's make that happen, sooner than later, before more civilians needlessly die.
suckaduck
(6 posts)probably gay stuff.
brush
(53,469 posts)it broadcasts so much of the Russian general public's opinion is formed by what they see and hear from the media.
Much of social media has been shut down so the younger, tech-savvy people who were getting contrary info from western sources about the war no longer have access to that. They were/are the ones protesting btw, a very dangerous activity as it risks freedom and career. Who knows who still has internet access?
And there are the reports of many Russians not even believing their Ukranian relatives calls and messages of the Russain invasion.
In other words, Putin controls the information silos, most of the general public's access to news.
This is what I keep hearing too. That betrays a very deep level of self-delusion. They don't *want* to believe it.
They are not (yet) in a complete info bubble like North Korea, and they most certainly have had access to Western media for the past many years--certainly enough to have become informed about who and what Putin is.
At some point it just feels like they need to take responsibility for what Putin is/has been doing. I hope we see it soon.
ChicagoRonin
(630 posts)His entire rep is based upon a self-created image of larger-than-life invincibility and infallibility.
If we were living in a different reality, he could save himself and his country from the west by ceasing hostilities, apologizing for his misguided decisions, offer reparations to Ukraine, and promise more freedoms (economic, social and political) to his people.
But in the real world, if he did that, the entire edifice of his rule would crumble. There'd be anger and resentment, because if he admitted he was wrong, the loyal members of his population would have to admit the same thing. They'd destroy him overnight.
Chainfire
(17,305 posts)The two things that people demand.
murielm99
(30,656 posts)taxi
(1,895 posts)Anyone who has dealt with a patch of pepper hedge knows what to do. Sprinkle Republicans on them. Without a leader the autonomous regions, each having its own root system, survive no matter what. Sometimes a leader will allow a sword to be run through his political life, and answer the peoples call for autonomy.
KT2000
(20,544 posts)They have lived under authoritarian rule, as did generations before them. It is ingrained in most of them, how to live to stay safe. It is not a choice, it is how they were socialized by parents, government, school, and friends. It really is not something they can decide away. The young people though are growing up in a world with more freedom of information. The young people may revolt, as we have seen, but the older people who played by the rules all their lives will not. They are concerned with self-survival.
I have a friend who grew up under authoritarian rule but has spent most of her life in the US. She thinks the Ukrainians should give up in the face of the huge power from Russia. That is how they will survive. After decades of friendship, we have come to realize how different we are.
Goonch
(3,551 posts)Mr.Bill
(24,103 posts)about what is actually going on. That would do it, I think.
uponit7771
(90,225 posts)... palace he was building and then this war to wag the dog.