Just seen a brilliant documentary of Channel 4's More4 station. Death of a Nation is a compelling look at modern Russia. The documentary shows widespread disatisfaction with "Managed Democracy" which seems to be at odds with much of the freedom and civil liberties that we associate with democracy. It puts a lot of our (& my own) whinging about bipartate politics into poignant perspective. It also dismisses Putin's presentation to the west and highlights a violent and authoritarian regime similiar to Western perceptions of the old USSR. Russia seems like a country on the brink of disaster, caught between the extremes of unchecked capitalism and dictatorial communism. No side truely in control.
The documentary was narrated by Marcel Theroux, Louis' less sardonic and altogether more thoughtful brother. I won't discuss it further as it really needs to be watched to be appreciated.