The future of democracy in Russia will depend on the correct relationship between "people" and "power" — the two major elements constituting any society.
In a normal democratic society, political parties serve as focal points of public opinion, crystallizing different approaches and policies in their programs and actions.
In Russia, which is devoid of the necessary set of political parties — as a result of "thimblerigging" judicial principles and practices — any public discussion concerning vital social and political issues becomes hopelessly lopsided.