Does it do what it says on the tin?
The Union of Right Forces. What might that name suggest? It put me in mind of the Lebanese militia group, Lebanese Forces, and posing the question to Dizzy, he suggested 'some sort of fascist movement?'
I was aware it was a Russian political party, but I had not picked up on its ideological stance, and assumed it was somewhat unpleasant. That's where I was wrong. The URF are very much the good guys out to the east of the Pripet Marshes: "The Party is considered by most western media organs such as The Economist and the BBC to be one of Russia's only parties that support western-style capitalism, society-politically the party is more conservative. Its headquarters are located in Moscow. It is affiliated to the International Democrat Union". Source.
Is this a Russian thing, having names somewhat confusing to outsiders (and Russians, as the URF is mulling a name change), what with Zhirinovsky's neither liberal nor democratic Liberal Democrats? A little sniffing around discloses that the Russian Beer Lovers Party, is in fact, quite keen on the stuff. I rather miss Naš dom – Rossija, (Our House - Russia), although mainly for its name.
Most IDU-affiliated centre right parties go for 'National', 'Conservative', 'Democratic' or 'Republican' in their names, but I would suggest that our Azeri and Mozambican colleagues might be due new names - National Independence Party and Mozambican National Resistance (or Renamo, as was). The Russian group is alone in having 'Right' in its name.
Elsewhere, Socialist International parties are big on using 'Socialist', 'Social Democratic' or 'Labour'. The prize for the most misleading name (to non Spanish speakers at least) is International Democratic Pole, not one man with an ego problem, but rather a Colombian party. Mind you, the Spanish Socialists sound like Trots: 'Spanish Socialist Workers' Party'. Drifting off to the extreme left, Green parties use 'Green', or 'Vert' or 'Verde' a lot.
I think that 'The Free Markets and Liberty Party' might be a more descriptive, if less than elegant name for the URF, so other suggestions are welcome.
I was aware it was a Russian political party, but I had not picked up on its ideological stance, and assumed it was somewhat unpleasant. That's where I was wrong. The URF are very much the good guys out to the east of the Pripet Marshes: "The Party is considered by most western media organs such as The Economist and the BBC to be one of Russia's only parties that support western-style capitalism, society-politically the party is more conservative. Its headquarters are located in Moscow. It is affiliated to the International Democrat Union". Source.
Is this a Russian thing, having names somewhat confusing to outsiders (and Russians, as the URF is mulling a name change), what with Zhirinovsky's neither liberal nor democratic Liberal Democrats? A little sniffing around discloses that the Russian Beer Lovers Party, is in fact, quite keen on the stuff. I rather miss Naš dom – Rossija, (Our House - Russia), although mainly for its name.
Most IDU-affiliated centre right parties go for 'National', 'Conservative', 'Democratic' or 'Republican' in their names, but I would suggest that our Azeri and Mozambican colleagues might be due new names - National Independence Party and Mozambican National Resistance (or Renamo, as was). The Russian group is alone in having 'Right' in its name.
Elsewhere, Socialist International parties are big on using 'Socialist', 'Social Democratic' or 'Labour'. The prize for the most misleading name (to non Spanish speakers at least) is International Democratic Pole, not one man with an ego problem, but rather a Colombian party. Mind you, the Spanish Socialists sound like Trots: 'Spanish Socialist Workers' Party'. Drifting off to the extreme left, Green parties use 'Green', or 'Vert' or 'Verde' a lot.
I think that 'The Free Markets and Liberty Party' might be a more descriptive, if less than elegant name for the URF, so other suggestions are welcome.
Labels: Mother Russia, the Left
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on Monday, December 17, 2007 at 9:51 am.
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