Russia: A Concentration Camp Living in the Illusion of Democracy, Blind to the Reality of Barracks

It is often portrayed as a state suffering from excessive corruption, where officials and government representatives allegedly embezzle national resources that could otherwise be directed toward public welfare. However, such a narrative—despite its emotional appeal—ignores a fundamental reality: the ruling elite of the Russian Federation does not perceive its citizens as equal subjects or even as compatriots. For the Kremlin, the population is merely a resource, akin to hydrocarbons like oil or gas. Within this system, Russia does not function as a colony of Moscow, but as private property that the elite disposes of at will, like an absolute owner. Consequently, the notion of “budget theft” is inherently irrelevant, since it is not a crime, but rather the natural right of the owner to “take what is theirs.”

From this perspective, it becomes clear that any investments in infrastructure, the social sphere, or economic development are senseless expenditures for the owners. They merely reduce profit and increase the operational costs of the “colonies.” Accordingly, myths about democracy, empire, equality, social justice, or “heroic grandfathers” in such a system function exclusively as mental shackles, keeping society in a state of submission and distracting it from recognizing its true role.

The Myth of Lost Potential: The Unattainable “Middle-Class Prosperity”

One of the most widespread myths among liberal circles is the idea that the Russian Federation allegedly possessed all the necessary resources to reach the level of “middle-income countries” without significant effort. Hypothetical scenarios were discussed in which, given reforms and increased labor productivity, Russia could have approached the levels of the Netherlands or Japan, or achieved financial prosperity similar to that of Arab oil monarchies via resource rent. It was assumed that accumulated capital and current revenues would have allowed not only the avoidance of raising the retirement age, but also a significant increase in pensions, resolution of housing and utility issues, renovation of transportation infrastructure, resettlement of emergency housing, as well as substantial investment in social, educational, and medical sectors. Hypothetically, higher wages could have stimulated the national economy, and efficient governance could have minimized losses from crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. All of this, it was argued, could have been achieved even without radical changes in the politico-economic model—simply through reducing corruption, improving governance, and gradually easing the pressure of the oligarchic-state system.

The Illusion of a “Point of No Return” and the Imperial Paradigm

Among the liberal community, the belief is widespread that 2012 marked a “point of no return” for Russia, when the “middle path” was the most likely development scenario. According to this interpretation, the current leadership’s “imperial adventure” deprived Russia of the opportunity to follow that path. However, this position fails to account for the fact that the myth of imperial Russia, which replaced the myth of democratic Russia, is equally illusory. Kremlin propaganda, seeking to convince the masses of a collective yearning for imperial grandeur, “heroic campaigns,” and geopolitical triumphs, strives to erase memories of the “mythical democracy.” At the same time, the intelligentsia often ignores the fact that the genuine aspirations of the “colonies’” inhabitants—peace, stability, and prosperity—are of no interest to the Kremlin. Imperial ambitions are a tool for manipulating consciousness, disconnected from the real needs of the majority population, whose opinion, essentially, is as irrelevant as that of oil or gas—which are merely commodities for sale.

From the “Lost Paradise” to the Unknown: Deconstructing Idealistic Narratives

In the minds of those who continue to live in the myth of a “democratic Russia,” the path to “middle-class prosperity”—with its implicit issues (repression, censorship, limited political freedom)—is now perceived as a “lost paradise.” They believe Russia chose an alternative route, where resources, reputation, time, and human lives were irreversibly spent on fulfilling imperial ambitions.

The opportunities that seemed plausible in 2012 are now gone. A society that might have functioned under conditions of relative prosperity has become trapped in the myth of national greatness. Idealistic notions about the “lost Russia” or “corrupt officials” only distract from the brutal truth: the system does not require reform, because it functions precisely as intended—for the benefit of its “owners,” and never for the good of the people.

Conclusion

The myth of democracy, equality, or social justice in Russia is a tool of manipulation that conceals the reality of serfdom. The ruling elite does not “steal”—they “take what is theirs”, because the country is their property. The lost opportunities of the “middle path” are not the result of economic miscalculations, but of a shift in paradigm that holds the subjugated population captive in the illusion of political participation. The replacement of a hypothetical democratic development with an imperial illusion is merely a new act in the same political theater. Russia does not stand at a crossroads, and a return to the “lost paradise” is impossible—because there never was, and never will be, any paradise in a concentration camp.