Russia had what may be generously described as an "election" recently, where the voters selected Dmitri Medvedev to succeed Vladmir Putin as president. Most observers and commentators agree, however, that the election was far from democratic and did little more than rubber stamp Putin’s chosen successor. Many have also argued that Putin’s aggressive style of governing is necessary in order to maintain stability in this country. However, the choice between full democracy and stability is a false one.
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