Yeltsin Presidency

In the 1991 presidency in Russia, Boris Yelstin came into power with 57% of the votes, he was the first popularly elected president. Yelstin vowed to transform Russia from a socialist commmand economy, which is a system based on the states ownership, to a free market economy, which is an economy based on the division of labor. Yelstin's views were seen as quite reactionary, due to his anti-authoritarian views. His style and personality made him extremely popular with the Russian people. He was often seen as a political opportunist, he was able to uphold authoritarian values when needed, but heavily compromise as well.

Unfortunatetly, Yelstin lost status and led Russia through a rocky political, and economic downfall. In the year 2000, Yelstin resigned, and Vladimir Putin became the next president. Was Yelstin's resignation the failure of democracy? Many think that Yelstin was a brilliant man, and his resignation was a shock, and a big upset. Yelstin was loved by the people and his resignation was unfathomable.

Vladimir Putin on the other hand had different political views than Boris Yelstin. Although Putin was hand picked by Yelstin they could not be more different. Yelstin made Putin Prime Minister, and just a little over six months later, Putin became the next president of Russia. Putin's political views were much more authoritarian than democratic. Putin had taken command of the second Chechen war; by the year 2004, Putin had made a multitude of decisions expanding, and rejecting aspects of the Yeltsin legacy.

Many believe that Putin is returning to its Soviet past, instead of building a new Russia. So far this has not been the case, he has been reforming Russia, and is building on the Yelstin policies, not reforming them. Putin is beginning to become more well liked by the public, because he is not your ordinary politician, he understands the public.

Still, the question remains, who is more fit to rule Russia, Yeltsin or Putin? Many will say that the obvious choice is Yeltsin, because he has been so loyal and knows how to negotiate, and really rule Russia. More people find him more trustworthy than Putin. This is because Putin is authoritarian, which means there is more chance that he will turn Russia back into its Soviet past. Others will argue that Putin is the better choice, because he has proved himself reliable and loyal, and has not tried any type of a communist reform. Both men have proved themselves good rulers, but with Putin as president, there leaves much more risk to repeat the past. (527)