http://larison.org/2007/09/14/zubkov/ n. the principle of good order "Observe the strange inversion of all order and sense! Dignity debased; how vilely is the function of a consul prostituted!" ~The Craftsman Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:34:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 http://larison.org/2007/09/14/zubkov/#comment-7637 Sat, 15 Sep 2007 08:45:34 +0000 http://larison.org/2007/09/14/zubkov/#comment-7637 You are certainly right that loyalty was the chief concern in Zubkov's nomination, but I think you skirt around the issue a bit to suggest that there is no mystery. Yes, he and Putin worked together in the city government, but not as long as Putin and Ivanov or Medvedev have worked together in this government. That is to say, familiarity isn't the issue. Further, witnesses say that Putin only ever addressed Zubkov on 'vy' a formality not observed with other of his 'inner circle,' which would seem to suggest that the 'old buddy' theory isn't really viable. That's not to say that there isn't another relatively straightforward explanation: In order to maintain the appropriate balance of power past 08 (one that will ensure stability as well as facilitating Putins return in '12) he needs to create a careful balance of competing interests. In short, he needs people who will be <i>grateful.</i> You are certainly right that loyalty was the chief concern in Zubkov’s nomination, but I think you skirt around the issue a bit to suggest that there is no mystery. Yes, he and Putin worked together in the city government, but not as long as Putin and Ivanov or Medvedev have worked together in this government. That is to say, familiarity isn’t the issue. Further, witnesses say that Putin only ever addressed Zubkov on ‘vy’ a formality not observed with other of his ‘inner circle,’ which would seem to suggest that the ‘old buddy’ theory isn’t really viable.
That’s not to say that there isn’t another relatively straightforward explanation: In order to maintain the appropriate balance of power past 08 (one that will ensure stability as well as facilitating Putins return in ‘12) he needs to create a careful balance of competing interests. In short, he needs people who will be grateful.

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