I fall half way between Chris & Lou. A more social democratic government could alleviate poverty a la US New Deal, but in no way would it eliminate it. On the other hand, from what I gather Putin is challenging a few of the oligarchs, but what is he doing about the general level of corruption?
A friend's parents were trying to purchase an appartment, but had to pay all sorts of bribes just to make the papers go through. Only an anectdote. What chance do the poor have to attend elite colleges? -- Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University Chico, CA 95929 Tel. 530-898-5321 E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu