--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As in 1917, the drift towards…" description: "\"“As in 1917, the drift towards authoritarian government under Putin was enabled by the weakness of the middle classes and public institutions in post-S..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41d/orlando-figes-19791_authoritarian-govern_as-in-1917-the-drift-towards-authoritari_963705.jpg" --- # As in 1917, the drift towards authoritarian government… ![“As in 1917, the drift towards authoritarian government under Putin was enabled by the weakness of the middle classes and public institutions in post-Soviet Russia. Subjected” quote by Orlando Figes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41d/orlando-figes-19791_authoritarian-govern_as-in-1917-the-drift-towards-authoritari_963705.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41d/orlando-figes-19791_authoritarian-govern_as-in-1917-the-drift-towards-authoritari_963705.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/41d/orlando-figes-19791_authoritarian-govern_as-in-1917-the-drift-towards-authoritari_963705.jpg) > ““As in 1917, the drift towards authoritarian government under Putin was enabled by the weakness of the middle classes and public institutions in post-Soviet Russia. Subjected”” [Orlando Figes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orlando-figes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Economic and institutional weakness allowed authoritarianism to rise in Russia after 1917 **In simple terms:** Weak middle class and institutions enable authoritarian drift Key Takeaway Strengthen civil society Themes authoritarianism economics history Mood critical historical Type analytical educational When to use this quote - policy reform - grassroots organizing - education initiatives Key Concepts Russian studies political science Questions to Reflect On - What can reinforce middle‑class stability? - How can public institutions be protected from erosion? A Different Perspective Reviving institutions is a long-term challenge ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Authoritarian government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authoritarian-government/) [Drift Authoritarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drift-authoritarian-1800341/) [Government Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government-putin-1800339/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Post Soviet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/post-soviet-924738/) [Russia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/russia/) [Russia Subjected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/russia-subjected-1800340/) ## Related quotes > [While the behavior of the Russian government, Putin and Putin punks are abhorrent, nothing will be changed by boycotting the Sochi Winter Games. 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