The issue was a spectacular read with articles on Putin himself and modern Russia. I highly recommend picking up this publication (even if you're not a TIME reader) and giving it a run through.
Other contenders included; J.K. Rowling, Al Gore, Hu Jintao & David Petraeus.
Does he deserve the recognition, by TIME, as Man Of The Year? I'd say so. Other notables, such as those in the top 5, were a tough call to be sure, but given what he has accomplished with so little...
Congratulations Russia - Your President turning Prime Minister is 2007's TIME "Man of the Year".
TIME is an aged institution. Their title "Man of the Year" is, in fact, something of a misnomer. In recent times it has changed to be "Person of the Year" without prejudice for the sexes though the title itself has remain unchanged (save for various underscores) due to it's history.
Much better than "You", which while I applaud for it's daring, was still really, really dumb. I"m not shocked - out of those contenders, I think he's the most warranted in this year (though Gore is a close second, winning the Nobel and all).
Putin is quite the character, though I worry about the direction Russia is going these days...
I think it was a total cop out on the part of TIME. I mean, c'mon... a reflective cover with the word "YOU!" in bold colors? It was anticlimactic. Obviously if you allude to the Man of the Year just being... someone; you're bound to hit the nail on the head but where's the effort? Go World! Sheesh.
I concur whole-heartedly Demo.
Aside from a few external events, I'd say that the Russian National Identity is pretty internalized these days and Putin pretty much represents that at home and abroad. He has so much as said that his intention, in making Russia a world power on economical par with the likes of the US, India and China, is countered by a my-backyard mentality whereby if Russia wants to be left to its own devices.
Russia isn't Putin, despite his popularity over the last eight years. He certainly has played a huge part, but the likes of Yeltsin and Gorbachev were largely responsible for laying the ground work (or rather, tearing up the ground before hand) so that a man like Putin could do what he does best - encourage unity. In the face of slashed freedoms and liberties the people of Russia have, by and large, sided with his choices. It's downright scary what has happened with the vocal oppositions though, I'll admit.
Regardless, he has made his mark - hence the "of the Year" honorific.
Russia scares me less, given that its recent economic expansion has been almost totally dependent on sky-rocketing oil prices and I give Putin credit for doing what he has, getting the job done, but history (and presumably God) will judge him how it sees fit.
Although, that move to resume activities in the Mediterranean by General-What-the-Fuck-Cold-War-Relic-Set-To-Retire-But-Wont kind of freaked me out.
