Writing from prison, Khodorkovsky calls for an end to "parasitic" capitalism in Russia:A new social elite should take over the country when Putin leaves (at the legal time, not a day sooner and not an hour later), one that comprehend power as long-term and maybe ignoble (at first) construction and not as wholesale division and redistribution. In that elite, the dominant question will not be “What do you need that for?” We don't need that, kind sirs, the country does. Otherwise it will ever become a modern developed and respected state, but more likely fall apart within our generation, and we, citizens of Russia, cannot reconcile ourselves to the ruin of our state, and we don't want to and we don't plan to.You can read the full text of Khodorkovsky's manifesto in this Kommersant article.
But, to solve the terrible problems listed and one not listed here, a traditional mobilization of the people is needed. And not penal mobilization but creative mobilization, using the intellectual resources of the tens of millions of our fellow countrymen based on a single national idea. The people are used to the authorities being endless far from them, that they are not answerable for anything, that the so-called elites needn't give a damn about them but they should again feel that Russia is our common country that thinks about and cares for everyone who lives in it and for which they are answerable. That leads first of all to qualitative changes in state and social policy, a rebirth of democratic methods of ruling the country, including state paternalism as an instrument for the unification of the state and people, as an acknowledgment of the fact that the state and economy exist for the people.
Yes, democracy prohibits the implementation of the ideal liberal model of everyone for himself. Yes, the voter will demand a concession of part of the oil riches falling from heaven for the use of those who, because of their health, education, age or other reasons cannot attain personal success by themselves in modern society without its (society's) help.
That is why a left turn is also necessary. To breach the pathological, existential alienation between the elites and the people, the authorities and those they rule. And not, as some theoreticians of “Putin's stability” suggest, so that the opposition, winning the parliamentary elections, would let Khodorkovsky out of prison. Without a breach of that alienation, no single national idea is possible, and without a national idea, there will be no salvation and rebirth of the country. If someone doesn't like the word “left,” let him find another word. The essence of the turn does not change because of it.
In addition, a left turn is unavoidable because a new “left” cycle in Russian national politics started long ago.
