The 2000s brought this faith back: the government and the presidency and, personally, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and even President Dmitry Medvedev enjoy the support of the majority of the intelligentsia. Some of them believe that what Russia needs is its own type of democracy, one that is different from the "Western" model, and that this government is the core of such a regime. Others think that a change of government would bring only political instability, lawlessness and corruption.

Yet others are sure that any other government would be worse than the present one, and might be outright fascist. Whatever the reasoning, the majority supports the powers that be.

During the last presidential elections I phoned a friend to share how I had used my vote. He shouted: "I am not interested in what you have done with your vote. I am not discussing any of this on the phone." And he hung up. People are again afraid to speak on the phone, they are afraid to express their views - if oppositional - in their emails or on their blogs. They know that they are being watched. The fear is back.