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Article: Governance in Russia: what's the problem?(Feature Report on Governance)
- Article from:
- LawNow
- Article date:
- January 1, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2008 Legal Resource Centre of Alberta Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The greatest obstacle to developing a decent system of government in Russia is that Russians know how to rule, but not how to govern. What is the difference?
Dictionary definitions of the two words, while not determinative to political discussion, give us an inkling. The verb "to rule" means to "exercise decisive influence over, or to keep under control." Maintaining control is the essence of ruling.
The meaning of "govern" is a bit different: here there is less emphasis on control, although that features, and more on influencing or swaying, or perhaps we might say on leadership.
To govern is to lead; to rule is to dominate or dictate.
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