The new York times: deep stratification of Russian society

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ИноСМИ: глубокое расслоение российского общества

After Vladimir Putin came to power, the poverty level in Russia has been declining, but in recent times bucking the trend. During the crisis the Russian economy is the gap between rich and poor, causing the anger of the poor goes to the rich side. The Russian media under the control of the authorities, often accused of famous rich people, who are not included in government circles, making them scapegoats. Experts believe that the goal is to divert people’s anger from the government and senior officials.

In 1992, after the collapse of the USSR, the percentage of people whose income was below the subsistence minimum established by the government, and who is considered poor amounted to 33.5%. In 1997, when the government was Boris Yeltsin, the figure dropped to 20.8%. But then he rose again. In 2000, when he became President, Vladimir Putin, the percentage of the poor was 29%.

After that, the number of poor population decreased. In 2012 it amounted to 10.7%. First, the Russian economy grew thanks to the increase in world energy prices. Second, the Putin administration has increased the control of the oligarchy, which is reflected in the increase in tax revenues. The authority thus provided sources of revenue for the payment of pensions and other social needs.

However, with the collapse of world oil prices, the Banquet came to an end. The funds created by the huge income from energy exports, has helped to soften the blow brought about by the economic crisis, however, probably not for long.

Moreover, after the annexation of Crimea, the West imposed against Russia economic sanctions which contributed to the deterioration of the economic situation. Since 2013, the number of poor began to increase. In 2015 it rose by 2.6 points to 13.3 percent.

According to opinion polls conducted by the Levada Center, 41 percent of respondents are extremely dissatisfied with the gap between rich and poor”. Of Russians who hold similar opinions over the last 20 years has increased by 18%.

In addition, the number of respondents who said they were somewhat dissatisfied with the bundle has reached 35%. If you add up these results, it turns out 76%, which is three quarters of the total number of respondents.

Moreover, the question “what the future may cause serious problems,” 82% of respondents answered: “the gap between rich and poor”. 60% believe that this factor will be the “ethnic problem”, 51% — “the confrontation between supporters of the ruling party and those who support the opposition party, 48% — “sectarian confrontation”, 47% — “differences in the level of education.”

Why is the center of attention was the gap between rich and poor? According to Russian experts, it is the result of the fact that the government deliberately began to raise the issue of stratification in the media and to direct popular anger at the rich.

The economic situation has worsened; Western economic sanctions had a negative impact on people’s lives. The discontent of the Russians increased. In this regard, the government has decided to warm Patriotic feelings, to justify the annexation of Crimea and to deploy propaganda: “the West is forcing Russia to suffer; to blame Western countries”. The Kremlin had sent the people’s discontent to the West.

However, in order to reassure the people on the background of protracted economic crisis, it was not enough. It therefore began to veer of the wealthy at the expense of their critics through the media people’s anger is redirected in their direction.

Recently, the Russian media criticized the players of the national team departed in the group stage of draw of the Championship of Europe on football in France, which took part in the luxurious party in Monaco. When told that the players are ordered champagne worth 250 thousand euros, the criticism reached its climax. Press Secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov issued the following comment: “the excess… of course, heard it all, including the President. It received very wide media coverage, a wide public response.

Of course, players have nothing to Pat on the head. However, as noted by the radio station “Echo of Moscow”, anyone can spend his salary on expensive drinks. That is, they only drank alcohol with the money.

However, the Russian media did not cover the problem, which is that in important positions in government and corporations, people are appointed by an acquaintance; that the country blooms, corruption, and government officials receive huge rewards.

Well-known Russian anti-government blogger Alexei Navalny in his blog said that the Vice-Premier of Russian government Igor Shuvalov in the last two years acquired a large amount of real estate. However, the mainstream media hardly covered this topic, so it has not caused criticism from the Russians.

Players and famous wealthy people who have nothing to do with power, make scapegoats. The Kremlin’s aim is to direct people’s anger at these people and take it from the government.

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