When he began to consolidate his power in the early 2000s, Putin's deal with the Russian people was simple: They would receive
economic stability — and, critically,
much higher standards of living — in exchange
for a loss of freedoms.
They failed to take credit or make the case
for the
economic upturn, and how their policies have
much to do with lower unemployment (5.8 %), significant debt reduction, healthy corporate balance sheets, greater financial
stability (Dodds - Frank), record stock market numbers, as well as reducing the gap between high earners and the middle class through Obamacare and reducing the Bush tax cuts.