Naturally, i am an art and science person, but i've grown up from a politician family. Having political science majors and someone who study French since Kindergarten and Russian for many yrs in my house, i've heard discussions on international politics more than i care to admit, haha.. :))
OK, about democracy in Russia, I'm optimistic. It's slow, but I can clearly see progress. You can see people in SPB is more open and freer than in Moscow. This is a nation of people who have a deep sense of dignity and free will, they will not go back to dictorship. I heard on radio other day, some Russians wanted to wrap up Lenin's body and sent it back to Germany that's where he came from, haha. :)
Your view about Crimea makes perfect senses from Russia's stand, but it's really complicated from the interests of Ukraine, Europe and America. I don't really want to get deep into that today, have to do Christmas shopping now.