this post was submitted on 30 Oct 2024
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I'd argue the reverse, Putin isn't ruling democratically, he doesn't need votes or approval. He DOES need a very strong military to stay in power, which is why Russia has the "national guard", Rosgvardiya, under the sole authority of the president.
Of course, a palace guard military has very different material demands, and their main use is against civilians and other military, so the level of equipment can be decreased, but for a dictator to have a country full of disgruntled veterans is a very dangerous thing.
Keeping your own population in check is way cheaper than waging war. Your own population doesn't have their own military.