Lecture Series begins with Russian Scholar

By Laban Pelz

Fresno State’s spring 2004 University Lecture Series began Tuesday with Russian professor Ludmilla Selezneva discussing Russian history and the country’s transformation to democracy.

“ Russian Democracy at the beginning of the 21st century” was the topic for the 50 students and guests attending the lecture in the Satellite Student Union. Selezneva’s goal was to help the audience understand how the introduction of democracy has changed Russia.

“ Is Russia a superpower or not? People (in Russia) still rely on the president,” said Selezneva. “There is no diversity of thought, no struggles, no opposing views. We need opposition.”

Selezneva, a former communist and current professor at the University for the Humanitarian Education in Moscow, explained how some of those used to communism weren’t able to adapt to democracy.

“ They (Russians) did not know how to deal with the market, how to invest. Democracy became a swear word, especially among the elderly. They wanted protection, not freedom. In the 1996 election, 35 percent voted democratic, 32 percent voted communist. There is no political center.

“ Nobody was upset when (former Russian president) Yeltsin left. (President) Putin is of the new generation. He is not elite, and is committed to stabilizing (the economy) after the capitalism of the 1990s,” she said. “What we have now is a strong state. It is not sound democracy, but it is not communism.”

Those attending learned many new things about Russia.

“ I found the part about the potato gardens really interesting,” said sociology major Mickey Ybarra, who is taking a Russian politics class. “How doctors and (other professionals) do that is cool.”

According to Selezneva, virtually all those living in Russia, even professionals, grow their own vegetable gardens, where the main crop is potatoes.

“ People ask ‘Do Russian people go hungry?’ The answer is no,” Selezneva said. “Russian people all have their own gardens. They know they must rely on themselves.”

Selezneva said she remains confident in Russia’s future.

“ 80 percent of the Gross Domestic Product is now produced in the private sector. In 2000 we had our first proficient budget. We now have a 13 percent flat tax rate,” she said.

Selezneva will remain in Fresno for discussion for a few more days.

“ She’s so open and honest about life in Russia,” said Bud Richter, who, along with his wife Jan, helped bring Selezneva to Fresno. The couple met Selezneva on a cruise in Russia, where they became interested in her life and experiences in Russia.

“ We attended some of her lectures, and started reading her books, and decided to bring her over (here) to share her knowledge,” said Jan Richter. “I hope her time here is utilized. She has so much to offer.”

According to Bud Richter, Selezneva lost both prestige and opportunities as a professor in the university when she resigned as a communist and turned to democracy.

“ People need to understand that Russian democracy has its own way, and is often not understandable from the outside world. Maybe it’s our own special way,” Selezneva said.