In the absence of the rule of law and functioning state services, we Russians generally perceive ourselves as subordinate to the state rather than as citizens acting out our lives in a functioning, vibrant, and independent civil society. This de facto surrender creates a fertile environment for despotism.
Ante&nbsp;la ausencia&nbsp;del imperio de la&nbsp;ley y servicios&nbsp;estatales que funcionen,&nbsp;los rusos&nbsp;nos solemos percibir como&nbsp;subordinados al Estado&nbsp;y no como&nbsp;ciudadanos que viven sus vidas en una sociedad civil funcional, vibrante e independiente.&nbsp;Esta entrega&nbsp;de facto&nbsp;crea&nbsp;un ambiente fértil&nbsp;para el despotismo.