Russian militants shoot down Malaysian passenger plane

[SoonerCoug]

Originally Posted by Archaea

I disagree that Russians have a strong economy. Russians may be happier with a strongman telling them their lives are better.

Here are some recent evaluations of the Russian economy.
http://www.economist.com/topics/russian-economy

https://www.google.com/search?q=Russ...2F%3B565%3B420


http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/russia/overview

http://www.ibtimes.com/russian-econo...t-help-1633198

The Russian economy today is infinitely better than it was 15 years ago.

The effect of this is to make Putin wildly popular.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by SoonerCoug

The Russian economy today is infinitely better than it was 15 years ago.

The effect of this is to make Putin wildly popular.

The primary reason for any improvement is linked to exploitation of natural resources. However, the average Russian is not better off, just siloviki and oligarchs.

[SoonerCoug]

Originally Posted by Archaea

The primary reason for any improvement is linked to exploitation of natural resources. However, the average Russian is not better off, just siloviki and oligarchs.

I agree about natural resources.

You're wrong about people not being better off. The average Russian is much better off. They all have cell phones. Most have computers. Many more have cars.

I lived there for two years in the 90s and was there again last year (in several cities).

Average salary was 40 dollars per month or so in the 90s. Now people make a thousand per month--at least. And their money goes reasonably far.

It's obviously no where near the western world, but it is much, much better than it was.