Competing ideologies of Russia's civil society

Many analysts and public opinion makers in the West conflate the notions of Russia’s non-systemic liberal opposition and the country’s civil society. Indeed, despite garnering the support of a minority of Russia’s population, non-systemic liberal opposition represents a well-organized civic group with a clearly articulated agenda and the ability to take action. Yet, does Russia’s civil society end there? A closer look at the country’s politics shows that Russia has a substantial conservative-traditionalist faction that has also developed agenda for action and formulated opinions. This group is anti-liberal rather than illiberal ideologically and pro-strong state/pro a geopolitically independent Russia rather than pro-Kremlin politically. The interaction between liberal and conservative civic groups represents the battle of meanings, ideas, and ethics, and ultimately determines the future trajectory of Russia’s evolution. Thus, the analysis of Russia’s civil society must represent a rather more nuanced picture than a mere study of the liberal non-systemic opposition. This article will examine the complexity of Russia’s civil society scene with reference to the interplay between the liberal opposition and conservative majority factions. The paper will argue that such complexity stems from ideological value pluralism that falls far beyond the boundaries of the liberal consensus, often skewing our understanding of political practice in Russia

Elite opinion and foreign policy in post-communist Russia

Russian elite opinion on matters of foreign policy may be classified as ‘Liberal Westerniser’, ‘Pragmatic Nationalist’ and ‘Fundamentalist Nationalist’, terms that reflect longstanding debates about the country’s relationship with the outside world. An analysis of press statements and election manifestoes together with a programme of elite interviews between 2004 and 2006 suggests a clustering of opinion on a series of strategic issues. Liberal Westernisers seek the closest possible relationship with Europe, and favour eventual membership of the EU and NATO. Pragmatic Nationalists are more inclined to favour practical co-operation, and do not assume an identity of values or interests with the Western countries. Fundamentalist Nationalists place more emphasis on the other former Soviet republics, and on Asia as much as Europe, and see the West as a threat to Russian values as well as to its state interests. Each of these positions, in turn, draws on an identifiable set of domestic constituencies: Liberal Westernisers on the promarket political parties, Pragmatic Nationalists on the presidential administration and defence and security ministries, and Fundamentalist Nationalists on the Orthodox Church and Communists

Diaper dermatitis

Diaper dermatitis occurs in 40% of children in the first year of life [1, 17, 18]. The risk of diaper dermatitis is low when diapers are changed six or more times per day, at breastfeeding and home care (versus nurseries and kindergartens). Risk of diaper dermatitis sharply increases at diarrhea or oral administration of amoxicillin. Bepanten is recommended for the prevention and treatment of uncomplicated diaper dermatitis

Specific therapy and emergency prevention of flu

Influenza A and B epidemics, occasionally pandemics, are characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates. In most cases, an uncomplicated disease ends with recovery, but unfavorable outcomes, up to lethal, are possible, especially in premature, low birth weight, infants and young children, old people, pregnant and postpartum women, with chronic diseases, immunocompromised, receiving salicylates and anticoagulants. The use of modern diagnostic methods allows early detection of patients with influenza, distinguishing them from the total number of patients with respiratory infections. This allows you to optimize the timing of the examination, avoid unnecessary prescription of antibiotics, and timely prescribe specific chemotherapy and chemoprophylaxis. During epidemics, in the presence of an epidemiological history, the conclusion of the clinician is decisive for the diagnosis. Vaccination is an excellent method of preventing or relieving the flu. However, in case of an unfavorable course of the disease, in risk groups, in closed groups, it is recommended to use chemotherapy, pre-exposure or post-exposure chemoprophylaxis. Numerous studies have proven the effectiveness of the use of the drug oseltamivir, a specific blocker of the virus neuraminidase. As a result, its replication stops. The drug does not complicate the vaccination, it can be used in vaccinated people, in all age groups, is available in different dosages, and can be used with food. Treatment for uncomplicated influenza lasts 5 days. In certain situations, chemoprophylaxis and chemotherapy with the specific antiviral drug oseltamivir can help control influenza outbreaks in certain populations

Antibacterial therapy of complications of acute respiratory viral infections in children

The incidence of acute respiratory infections (ARI) of the upper respiratory tract in children of the first 3 years of life can reach 3796.29: 1,000. Pre-school children from organized groups register up to 6–10 episodes of ARI annually, and 7–12 in primary school children. The frequency of bacterial complications (otitis, sinusitis, tracheobronchitis, pneumonia) in different age groups and socioeconomic conditions is 10–60%, which requires the appointment of antibiotics. In the case of a severe course of complications, with previously prescribed drugs of the 1st line, an unfavorable premorbid background the treatment with cefixime is preferable

COUGH IN CHILDREN - TREAT OR NOT TREAT

Coughing is a common symptom that accompanies many pathological conditions and leads a child to a pediatrician. Determining the tactics of a doctor depends on the general condition of the child, the mechanisms of origin and nature of the cough. With dry non-productive cough after viral diseases, with whooping cough, preparation for diagnostic and therapeutic manipulations shows controlled use of the drug of the central action of the sinecode (butamirate)

Acute bronchiolitis in children

The article tells about mechanisms and disease pattern of bronchiolitis, differential diagnostics, relevant therapy and outcomes, as well as evidence-based treatment tactics

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents

The term attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not quite accurate. By ADHD we mean that the patient can not focus on what is relevant and is distracted by irrelevant detail. In fact, people with ADHD are often obsessed with several issues without being able to focus on a single object