[bayesianhorse]

There is not a single perfect democracy. But there are countries that come very close, and others don't. In Russia, there is no Chance anyone but Putin is elected. There is no division of power, the courts and parliament are directly under Putin's control. So are major industrial corporations. Journalists are murdered by the dozens in Russia, with particular emphasis on those who criticize the government. Which might explain why there is no mainstream media that criticizes the government any more.

The opposition is ridiculous. If any oppositionals develop an effective platform or support, they usually go to jail, are murdered or disappear.

In Moscow, you can't hold up fake signs without getting arrested. Protests and demonstrations are only ever "allowed" if they are pro-Putin.

And let's not get started on the extremely corrupt bureaucracy. Putin couldn't hold a fair election or mandate a fair rule of law even if he wanted to.