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The reason I asked if Belarus being a dictatorship "matters" is not because I am a fan of dictatorships, but because some people are so cynical about government that they may think a dictatorship is better than a democracy, especially if that dictatorship seems to promote peace and order, things that are lacking in another former Soviet Socialist Republic (Ukraine" at the moment. They may also think that being free of American influence is the best thing about a nation, even if that means having an authoritarian government.
The reason I asked if Belarus being a dictatorship "matters" is not because I am a fan of dictatorships, but because some people are so cynical about government that they may think a dictatorship is better than a democracy, especially if that dictatorship seems to promote peace and order, things that are lacking in another former Soviet Socialist Republic (Ukraine" at the moment. They may also think that being free of American influence is the best thing about a nation, even if that means having an authoritarian government.
Well it's not better to have a dictatorship because too much depends on one person who is mostly concentrated on keeping power in his hands. That being said, in everyday Belarusian life you don't really feel this lack of freedom. And yes, Lukashenko uses the situation in Ukraine in his interests, to warn people against revolutions -- sort of "look, we have order and stability, and what happened with our neighbors?"
As for "being free from American influence", what influence do you mean? Political -- maybe, Belarus is not really influenced by Washington. BTW I don't think it's bad as America has too much influence in many parts of the world... And culturally, we are not that different from other countries. We also get American films and cartoons, American music, we learn English, buy Iphones and use Windows, eat McD's and drink Coca Cola. Belarus is not some kind of reservation free of American influence.
What is there to see in Belarus? Any old churches?
Well there are some old castles, like in Mir and Nesvizh, not too far away from Minsk. Some churches as well. We have no sea or mountains but nature is pretty nice -- forests, lakes. The country is generally clear and orderly. Minsk is the same, it lacks historic places but is clean and well-maintained. Some other cities like Grodno have preserved more old buildings. However, you will see lots of Soviet architucture everywhere. It's inevitable in Belarus, like it or not
"Belarus is very Russified" Then its no wonder it became a corrupt dictatorship.
Belarus is a pretty nice country actually. More peaceful and richer than the likes of Ukraine (even before the war).
Are you one of those butthurt English who are still mad that Russia got the Football World Cup instead of England?
Last edited by mrcricket300; 07-23-2015 at 01:55 AM..
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