Are you implying the state of democracy in Russia to be dependent on its economic prosperity or even foreign aid?There could have been a "Marshall Plan II" that might have achieved a lasting democracy in Russia.
Influenced how? How would monetary influx help Russia become more democratic?
I didn't say "monetary influx." There was plenty of money flying at Russia, it was just flying at things Western businesses thought could make them money. Things did not go well. If the West-East postwar conversation and focus had been people to people, instead of CEO-to-nomenklatura, the people on both sides would have done better. lend/lease. Small business. Security for dissidents. All these "Western" values we've always lorded over everyone else - we did nothing to help them thrive in the ashes of the USSR. What we did was try to make a buck. Results went as expected.
Hm. Any reading on it that you could recommend?