http://dictatorshipoftheair.com/2006/10/25/in-defense-of-russian-backwardness/ Russia History Culture Technology (and, of course, Aviation) Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:20:10 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 http://dictatorshipoftheair.com/2006/10/25/in-defense-of-russian-backwardness/comment-page-1/#comment-5247 Dictatorship of the Air » “Catch and Surpass” Wed, 16 May 2007 03:25:18 +0000 http://dictatorshipoftheair.com/2006/10/25/in-defense-of-russian-backwardness/#comment-5247 [...] On the whole, I agree with the article’s implicit argument regarding the importance of the West to Russians’ self-perceptions. Indeed, as I noted some time back in a lengthy post “In Defense of Russian Backwardness,” the conscious comparison of national standing vis-a-vis the Western world is an aspect of Russia’s cultural tradition that is essential to understanding the nation’s past and present. Still, I think the short piece gives short-shrift to some relevant history. [...] [...] On the whole, I agree with the article’s implicit argument regarding the importance of the West to Russians’ self-perceptions. Indeed, as I noted some time back in a lengthy post “In Defense of Russian Backwardness,” the conscious comparison of national standing vis-a-vis the Western world is an aspect of Russia’s cultural tradition that is essential to understanding the nation’s past and present. Still, I think the short piece gives short-shrift to some relevant history. [...]

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