The great drama of Russian history has been between its state and society. Put simply, Russia has always had too much state and not enough society.
Fareed ZakariaAmericans have so far put up with inequality because they felt they could change their status. They didn't mind others being rich, as long as they had a path to move up as well. The American Dream is all about social mobility in a sense - the idea that anyone can make it.
Fareed ZakariaIt is absolutely clear that government plays a key role, as a catalyst, in promoting long-run growth.
Fareed ZakariaWe all accuse Vladimir Putin of Cold War nostalgia, but Washington's elites - politicians and intellectuals - miss the old days as well. They wish for the world in which the United States was utterly dominant over its friends, its foes were to be shunned entirely, and the challenges were stark, moral, and vital. Today's world is messy and complicated. China is one of our biggest trading partners and our looming geopolitical rival. Russia is a surly spoiler, but it has a globalized middle class and has created ties in Europe.
Fareed Zakaria