"Russian Man's Burden"

[Andrew Jameson]

OUR TAKE: Russian Man's Burden

More than a few chuckles were let loose last week when a group
of Russian parliamentarians announced their plans to send
observers to the United States to ensure that the 7 November
presidential elections would be free and fair, and to see just how
democratic Americans really are.

Nine of Russia's wackier State Duma deputies put forth a resolution
that envisioned creating a group of election observers to send
to the United States--in particular, to California and Texas, where
they expect the gravest violations of voter rights; to establish
a foundation to preserve American democracy; and to set up a
"Voice of Russia" radio station that would broadcast the real
news to Americans. The resolution was not taken seriously by
other Russian lawmakers, and on 27 October, the Duma voted not
to vote on it.

Though the story didn't get much press, the little attention
that it did receive served only as a source of amusement for
Westerners and a source of embarrassment for parliament. It
seemed like a lot of trouble just to make a point.

Still, it might have done Americans some good to listen to
a "Voice of Russia" broadcast on 7 November, for no other
reason than some insight into how Eastern Europeans sometimes
perceive American observations of their elections and "meddling"
in their democracies. People in Texas or California might have
heard something like this:

"American comrades, Voice of Russia is proud to bring you
independent broadcasts of the U.S. presidential elections. ...

A statement released today by Russian election observers
said the U.S. presidential elections should be declared invalid
as only 38 percent of registered voters turned up at polling
stations. Political apathy and a poor choice of candidates
ensured the low voter turnout.

A Russian political analyst told Voice of Russia that he is
deeply concerned about the preservation of democracy in the
United States, and that low voter turnout means democratic
values are not being exercised. In Russia and Belarus, to
name just a few countries, elections have been declared invalid
and undemocratic when less than 50 percent of registered voters
have turned out.

Observers also reported widespread disenfranchisement among
voters, with high numbers of ethnic minorities feeling
excluded from the vote.

Furthermore, Russian election observers said the U.S. presidential
elections were a sham from the start, with voters being forced to
 choose between two candidates based only on their ability to
form coherent sentences and make appropriate gestures in front
of television cameras. What's more, third-party candidates were
excluded from the presidential debates. Despite the fact that
some 64 percent of Americans said they would have liked to see
Green Party candidate Ralph Nader participate in the debates,
Nader was barred, and even threatened with arrest when trying
to enter the debates. (According to U.S. electoral rules,
candidates must receive 15 percent of voter support to be included
in debates). American democracy must be questioned when voters
are not allowed to hear all candidates in an open forum. Excluding
third-party candidates is against the fundamental and constitutional
rights granted to Americans. ..."

When put into perspective, it doesn't sound so absurd. At the least,
and despite evidence that the Russian presidential elections were
fraudulent, such a broadcast might serve to remind Westerners
that a bit of humility is in order when preaching the gospel
of democracy.
______________________________________________________
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