Nothing Personal — Only KPIs

 

Nothing Personal — Only KPIs

#Repression #Dissent #Politics #Freedom #Society

What is the cause of the ever-expanding repression?

The cause is the system's appetite.

More about the reasons for repression and its consequences

Useful Links

• Mediazona — Independent publication on human rights and repression.
• OVD-Info — Project on political persecution in Russia.
• Memorial — Organization defending human rights and researching repression.
• Matrix chat on decentralization — Discussions on technologies and freedom in the network.
• Matrix chat of the Ukrainian fediverse — Community for sharing information and support in Ukraine.

More Useful Links

• Mediazona — Independent publication on human rights and repression.
• OVD-Info — Project on political persecution in Russia.
• Memorial — Organization defending human rights and researching repression.
• Tor Project — Tools for anonymous and secure internet access.
• PrivacyTools.io — Resources on privacy and security on the internet.

1. Context: A New Wave of Repression

Recently, Leonid Nikitinsky in "Novaya Gazeta" pointed out that with the onset of the special military operation, the authorities hastily enacted new repressive laws, creating an even harsher law enforcement practice. This process is evident: the criminalization of dissent, which was abolished during perestroika, is increasing.

2. Why is this happening?

At first glance, the need for uniformity is absent. The government ignores public sentiment, and the internet provides access to any opinions. However, the repressive apparatus continues to grow. This can be explained by:

1. Historical Parallels: Unlike the Soviet era, Russia is not moving toward socialism and does not experience acute class struggle. Yet, the search for enemies is intensifying.
2. Populism and Distraction: Traditionally, repression is used to divert attention from unfulfilled promises. However, today the mechanism of political accountability is disabled — there is no one to hold the authorities accountable.

3. The New Logic of Repression

Laws punishing "fakes," "discrediting," or "foreign agents" repeat the disposition of the infamous Article 58 of the RSFSR Criminal Code. Court decisions in "political" cases are predetermined, and the penalties are often harsher than those for serious crimes.

Example:

• The constitutional principle of the presumption of innocence is replaced by the presumption of guilt.
• The accused are deprived of their rights without trial, being labeled "enemies" and "traitors."
• Appeals to international courts have become meaningless after the denunciation of conventions.

4. Why does the bureaucracy need this?

The repressive apparatus operates according to the logic of any bureaucratic system: demonstrating its necessity to superiors. It's easier to fight dissenters than to tackle real crime. New laws expand the possibilities for such actions:

• Example: The introduction of repressive laws into the Duma with hundreds of "co-authors" and their unanimous adoption by all factions. An example is the story of Oleg Shein’s expulsion from the party, which occurred just hours after he was labeled a "foreign agent."

5. The Fear Effect

Repression cements the "building of Big Fear." The laws intimidate both dissenters and conformists, demonstrating that any form of dissent is punishable. However, this strategy has a fundamental flaw: fear does not stimulate development or creation. This makes the system vulnerable and potentially unstable.

6. Conclusions

Repression in modern Russia is a result of a bureaucratic system striving to justify its existence. Its goal is to strengthen the vertical of power and create an atmosphere of uniformity. However, fear as a tool of control is unstable and may lead to the system’s collapse.

Editorial Note

Dear readers, it’s important to remember that even in the darkest times, there are opportunities for change. We are often accused of inaction, but the strength of society lies in unity, persistence, and belief in the possibility of a better future. We are convinced that victory will be possible if each of us finds the strength to act — protect rights, spread truthful information, and support each other. Only then will we overcome fear and build a country where freedom and respect for individuals are valued. More about the mechanism of repression and its consequences for society