Through thorns to leadership

Russian experience: unrealized opportunities of diffusive pressure
Without involvement of two types of institutions – organizations and establishments, rules and regulations, the phenomenon of diffusive pressure will not simply be demonstration of force, but weakness of public opinion, strength of diffusive pressure seen in elevation, weakness — in replacement of Yevgeny Primakov on the margins of Russian politics.
In the end of 1990s Russia truly had an opportunity to nominate the national leader without dictatorship and influence of previous ruler.
Yevgeny Primakov — is well-known personality in the political life of Russia. The current chairman of the Chamber of Commerce in Soviet Russia was last known as scientists studying eastern cultures, director of the Institute of World Economy and International Relations USSR Academy of Sciences, chairman of the Council Union — one of the two chambers of the Supreme Council of the USSR during the first Congress of People’s Deputies, then was appointed as Director of Foreign Service Intelligence.
 Taking the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, he put an end to the so-called «doctrine of Kozyrev», which perfectly accepted weaken Russian influence in neighbouring countries. After the August 1998 default, there was a need for replacement of Sergei Kiriyenko government. President Boris Yeltsin proposed predictable candidacy of Viktor Chernomyrdin, who in the recent past have had the experience of the Government Premier. 
However, higher echelons of Russian political class — leaders of major parties represented in the State Duma, despite political disagreement, treated with coldness known to them Chernomyrdin. Their attention and sympathy were towards Yevgeny Primakov. Under the pressure of circumstances and giving the majority leaders of major parties in September 1998, Boris Yeltsin was forced to propose the candidacy of Primakov.
Primakov has been without problems withdrawn by Yeltsin in May 1999 and now he could easily leave his position. The Communist Party of Russian Federation (CPRF), initiated impeachment proceedings which failed to impeach Yeltsin but it has diverted attention and spited political class.
Diffuse pressure has been reoriented towards direct confrontation. Not Communist Party but bloc «Fatherland-All Russia», led by Primakov and Luzhkov became the main opponent of the presidential forces in the State Duma elections in December 1999. This is the second phase of the fight against Primakov. Block «Fatherland-All Russia» in the mouth of a journalist Sergei Dorenko was seen as «Fatherland minus all of Russia».
State apparatus was able to consolidate and push Primakov at the margins of political life. The strength of diffusive pressure is in its massiveness and if you like in its softness. In full accordance with the Chinese strategy: «Soft wins firm». Solid stuck in soft, tractor drowns in the swamp. But in that same softness is the weakness of diffuse public pressure.
In Russia diffusive pressure marked the end of the Yeltsin era, but split the political class predestined failure of Primakov. Further it is known that Yeltsin began casting candidates for successor.
So, without the involvement of institutions, concentration and focus for their capacity diffusive pressure is ineffective. Moreover, it could be easily reoriented towards person, which was the case in first Russian succession scenario — the transfer of power from Yeltsin to Putin.
For the sake of justice, it should be noted that Lev Rokhlin was the first politician who lacked support from the party and still defied the regime of «King» Boris. Member of the Russian State Duma Lev Rokhlin in September 1997 set up a «Movement in Support of the Army, Defence Industry and Military Science» (MAS). He appealed to the sentiments of the junior and middle officers from the army, grass-roots and middle classes of previously prestigious Russian defence industry. But it was not yet diffuse pressure, as these sentiments did not expressed the views of all sectors of society.
Words: «We will destroy Rokhlin!» belong to Yeltsin. Rokhlin was killed on the night of July 3rd, 1998, just a few weeks before the default, which was the beginning of Boris Yeltsin collapse.
After the murder of Leo Rokhlin, mood of defence complex was redirected to ruling power of Russian politics mainstream. Still there was the first break through. The following year «Successor» program was started in order to preserve the previous course.
However there is a «but». Death and murder in politics, unfortunately, are often the solution for increasing competition. Security is not enough to save the life of the leader. There was nobody that could in the right place and right time warn about the forthcoming assassination of John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert Kennedy; and a priest, advocate equality of black and white Martin Luther King.
 Followers might get busy with something else and leave leader at risk. In the fateful day of August 1st, 1748 khan Abulkhair found that it would be wrong for him to retreat: «Who is afraid of Barak could be called women because Barak himself is no better women». However, most of the 150 Abulkhair khan soldiers turned to looting, leaving Khan with 5-6 soldiers against the large, three to four thousand army of Sultan Barak.
Khan Kenesary at the eve of the last tragic battle in Kyrgyzstan was deserted by his cousin and close associates. A good example — the founder of the Reformation, Martin Luther was kidnapped by Saxon Friedrich and thus saved from secret assassins.

Evaluation by modern society
With plenty of books written about it leadership still remains as phenomenon which very hard to understand. Since 1976, Leonid Brezhnev showed infirmity and extinction, remaining senior leader of a great power. However, Feuchtwanger wrote in «Lying prophet» that «power fills even empty man». Conversely there are many political talents that have not been able to fully realize themselves! For example, public opinion of Britain in January 1957, tend to lean in favour of Richard Butler, who had a realistic position in the Suez crisis of 1956. However, none of the institutions within the Conservative Party — neither parliamentary fraction, nor other political groups — had much interest to nominate and support the candidacy of Butler. Thus Harold Macmillan was elected as Prime Minister even without any remarkable talents.
The actions of leaders do not always receive the correct assessment of contemporaries. In 1958, French Communist Party, followed by Soviet propaganda seen in the establishment of presidential power and the establishment of the Fifth Republic danger of military dictatorship, and even the threat of fascism (noteworthy remarks of Khrushchev on the constitution and the referendum in France, published in the newspaper «Pravda» on September 28th, 1958). And it is about de Gaulle, the hero-antifascist, who led his country, despite the occupation, to the four victorious powers!
So there is something to think over.

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