Introduction by G.O.Pavlovsky
Moscow, Europe Publishing House, 2005, pp 224
This is a valiant attempt at reconstructing President Putin's doctrine based on President’s Messages of 2004 and 2005. The second presidential term is the time when every president should be securing a place in history. Putin's position is specific in the sense that he is actually trying to lay a foundation for Russia's progress in decades to come. He is making this effort in a very unfavorable situation, when, after Yeltsin's chaos, the word "stability" sounded acceptable to everyone, or almost everyone. He is making this effort because he can’t help doing it. The author analyzes strong and weak aspects of Putin's doctrine, originating from the fact that the President can really influence people, rather than the course of events. The author goes on to analyze in detail the transition from anti-crisis government to development of new institutes that are intended to ensure sovereignty and democracy, fine-tune administration and raise the quality of life. The two President’s Messages with commentaries are attached to the author's text as a natural supplement.
