Russia's Managed Democracy and the Civil G8 in 2006

Abstract

In 2006, during Russia's presidency of the Group of Eight industrial powers (G8), the Russian government claimed to have democratized G8 decision making by creating a new consultation mechanism for non-governmental organizations, the Civil G8, which Russian officials largely viewed as a vehicle for improving Russia's global reputation. Russian participants used it as a forum for criticizing the Putin regime's human rights record and expanding their NGO networks. Moreover, they contested the Civil G8's meaning, objectives and benefits. This contestation reflects well on the forum's organizers, as it shows that they admitted NGOs with diverse political views. While Russian participants' comments about their Civil G8 experience were more positive than negative, several found it had little or no influence on G8 decision making and failed to resolve the domestic problems that NGOs faced, including the regime's increased regulations of their activities.