Today's Russia is on a slow and tortuous road to establishing a democracy, second such attempt in this century. Positive and negative developments are shaping Russia's uncertain political future. On December 23 of this year, Russians will be going to the polls to elect a new Parliament. Its composition will determine the fate of democracy as a political system. The out-comes of the fall elections will impact the 1996 presidential elections as well. Inordinate number of political parties have recently come into existence in order to promote their candidates, most of whom are "left" of center and do not believe in the democratic process.

On the other hand, the Russian voters are fed up with political corruption, economic chaos, and all-pervasive organized crime. Since the collapse of Communism, in August of 1991, the average Russian has suffered the most, especially in devastating economic inflation and decline in the standard of living. He puts the blame for most of Russia's ills at the feet of corrupt politicians (which is not far from the truth). A sense of cynicism pervades Russian society in general. It is feared that the electorate will not turn out in large numbers to cast their vote, simply because they are disenchanted with "corruption-as usual" reality of politics in Russia. A possible scenario would be enacted as follows: a fervent radical supporting group such as the Communists might turn out in large numbers and elect a Communist majority to the Parliament. On the other hand, a conservative radical nationalist group that wants to see order restored in Russia, at all costs, might elect a new totalitarian candidate. However, it seems that of the three most popular candidates running for presidential election in the Spring: Alexander Lebed, Gregory Yevlinsky, and Boris Yeltsin (according to the most recent popularity polls), the Russian people seem to be supporting the first one. Lebed represents honesty, a proven hero of the Afghan war, a real incorruptible personality, may be voted into the Parliament, as well as into the presldency. He stands for authoritarianism and return to absolute order in the country.~ This manner democracy could be significantly weakened or absolutely brought to an end.

To shed further light on the reality in Russia today, let's take a closer look at America's influence on Russian society. In my April visit to Moscow this year, (I had not been to Russia since January '92). I noticed a significant Americanization of Moscow. For example, Communist slogans that once were ubiquitous throughout the city and would read "The Union is Indestructible!," "Lenin Lived, Lives, and Shall Live Forever!". etc. Instead of these, we found overwhelming American commercial advertising icons, such as: "Buy Heinz 57 Varieties", "Drink Pepsi-Cola", "Drink Coke", "Eat Diamond Pizza", "Smoke Marlboro Cigarettes", etc.. I don't think that we as a culture and society as Americans, would allow the McDonald's yellow arches to be raised next to Lincoln's memorial in Washington, D.C., yet the biggest McDonald's in Moscow has been erected only yards from the statute of Alexander Pushkin, the national and spiritual poet of Rllssia. Pushkin is as dear to them as Lincoln is to us.

The commercialization of Russia is approached from the most crass techniques of advertising. Cordless phones, bank investments, high fashion styles, computers such as Hewlett Packard, Epson, etc. as well as exotic vacations in the sun, permeate newspapers, television, and transportation advertising. Almost all, exclusively American products are "pushed" this way. The irony of this is that only 7% of the 160 million Russians could afford any of these luxury items. We, as Americans doing business in Russia, are insensitive to the psychological and spiritual needs of the Russian people. They do not need materialistic goods being shoved down their throats. They want their own particular native goods. The reaction to this overwhelming "pushing" of American consumer market, has set in a reaction among Moscovite customers. Their response is: "Do you have a native, not a foreign brand of this same item"?

In general there seems to be a resurgence of the "ugly American of the 60's and 70's era" in Russia. This creates annoyance and antagonism and does not promote cooperation between Americans and Russians. Majority of them live on a subsistence level and cannot afford high- priced American goods. There are 5 million Russians unemployed, a historical precedent, yet we don't seem to note the Russian sensibilities, in the manner in which we approach them, namely, without understanding their needs or their culture. I hope this will be corrected in the future, for the sake of friendly relationships between our two countries.

Casimir Norkeliunas, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Russian and German,
Director of the Russian Program,
Marist College, Poughkeepsie, New York