This is three quarters of a good conversation. The missing element is some realism about the state of democracy today. Having acknowledged that the Russian psyche might tend towards an authoritarian leader, you both persist with the idea that alternative choices would be a good thing. As a theory, you can argue that. <br><br>But look at the reality. In the US there was a choice between Trump and Clinton. The one appalling; the other worse. This time Trump / Biden. Same problem.  The democratic system is too easily hijacked. In Ukraine a guy with a TV show playing President led to that guy actually becoming President. He promised peace and fairness for minorities. In fact he failed to implement the Minsk accords; 14,000 people died in the Donbas at the hands of fellow Ukrainians; opposition parties and media were banned; a smallish Nazi faction assumed disproportionate power. <br><br>In the UK Boris Johnson is now widely loathed and despised. They can’t get him out. And if they could, who would replace him? There are certainly choices. All of them bad. In 2019 when there was potential for real choice, the media - owned mainly by foreigners, living outside the country - made sure that Jeremy Corbyn could not get a real shot at PM. <br><br>I understand why you, Lex, a Russian, care about Russia/Putin. Myself as a Brit, I am more concerned with the weakness of our system and that of the US, whom we dutifully follow. In the era of ‘big media’ democracy is too easily taken for a joyride.