re: What is Russia like today?

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Are there anything like open elections where anyone can run and win, or is everything pre-rigged?

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I don’t know. I have no knowledge of that.

I assume their system is just like ours though.

I believe we, like the rest of the west, are an oligarchy, and our politicians are largely subordinate to the oligarchy.

The Russian state is probably more powerful than ours though. They have more power vs the oligarchy than Washington does.

Putin spent his first few years in office suppressing the oligarchs, and preventing destructive meddling in state policy.

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And, can people actually demonstrate, or do the kind of police you mention make sure that doesn't happen?

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I don’t know. I never saw one. But It came up in conversation a few times. They do happen.