>>host: we have the author of this book vladimir putin. politics professor lynch comment would you describe russia as a democracy? >>guest: it is not but he is very popular. the approval ratings of

increased since he was reelected approaching 68% at according to an independent agencies so there is the interesting paradox. he obtains political legitimacy but he certainly has been able to avoid strict accountability to the adverse elements and constructs day political machine combining the forms of democracy. >>host: why did he get reelected and why is the popular? >>guest: in 2007 he was reaching the end of his second term. that was the end according to the constitution. although most were genuinely concerned he may obey the

terms and step down and saw no alternative later. has reno he arranged for his own succession as dmitry medvedev and became prime minister but remained at the center of the system to the great relief of most russians. you may remember thereafter we had the world the price of puerto collapsed when hundred 45 varo down at 130. that he could squirreled away enough money to be sure he has a shock absorber to

be able to weather the storm the political order did not implode but by comparison n y 1998? lael at $10 a barrel. the predecessor defaulted on its obligations and devalue the dollar almost overnight. that meant route that it could weather the storm but to those fears, most adult russians know that period very well or they knew the chaos and collapse. a presided over stability in russia.

most compared to the situation he inherited when the ratio was a failed state. suffering a depression that is twice as deep and a new stage for and the territorial integrity as putin was appointed and it made no expansion was proceeding on all fronts for russia was a failed state. putin could restore and aliment of prosperity because this is not the whole picture to be sure. it is more dependent on revenues than it was before.

lourdes of the russian vermette to process the bid is a major failing of low blood most russians through the yield sen period we compare them at hughes the button until abaet and to a cash but that stops at 63% reporting.

the independent regains are 68%. >> those institutions have been developed so they could survive vladimir putin not to being an office? >> this is a major concern of political scientist also four putin. two years ago the tragic plane crash which wiped out the polish bishop comedy the leaders at the highest levels but poland continued to function. a real democracy, the only country russia still has executive power not changing hands free and fair. does other structured elections and the executive structures the succession. would he disappeared today or tomorrow perhaps it is

likely the system could implode one set of the to against another for the industrial and mineral base. most russians noted at the e the level and the absence of alternatives he has frozen out genuine opposition. the system which is stable with a high price of oil is fragile. it is a one-man system of power. >>host: did you have a chance to interview putin? >>guest: no. i could talk with several russians who are close to him with very confidential conversations.

one is the knowledge anonymously because the issues are critical although i suggested i tried to put the 10 and the context i have said critical things about his tenure in office. you have to be careful about tainting goes with excessively critical comments. i did manage to show that i was getting positive bank critical comments before publication. >>host: could this be published in russia? >> i think so. it could be. there are authors of the interest. it will be published in chinese. the only country that has strong interest in russian

affairs. the majority of the books i used were published in russian by russians. there is the wide opinion outside of the televised political news that visit virtual monopoly. the government controls all five television stations that reach 98%. outside the monopoly newspapernewspaper s, radio stations, magazines, even popular books and enough of them out there you can check information and talk to people. i used foreign sources for information. it is a paradoxical situation. do w