One can ask if Russia or China play the power game differently or if they are just learning thatsuppression is bad, more effective and subtle is cooptation of elites, propaganda, infotainment for masses. This view would be realistic. It is unlikely that true democracy could succeed. Everything is just backroom dealing. The people revolt and get crumbs(read zinn). Communistic dictatorship worked , as did early capitalism in the fast development phase of industrialism. Now, without growth or significant techno