And the space for civil society, has not shrunk in the western world?
The difference is in the western world you can relatively protest all you want, just be prepared to be covertly monitored, sabotaged and denied media access, by people who are more than willing accomplices to the powers that be. That is the only
difference between the rest of the world and the western world, is that in the west, in stead of the state apparatus directly controlling the levers of power and influence, it is done indirectly, through the CEOs and so called captains of industry, who hold former positions in government, for the most part, and are more than willing to be the attack dogs in protecting the status quo, because they financially benefit from it, thus relieving the state of being accused as repressive.

US has arrested and or detained pick your word "unauthorized" marchers, rally crowds, etc. in Washington DC for instance.
They actually use water cannons and tear gas, horses and batons on t people who refuse to leave the "unauthorized" area US police enforce.Yet when
Russia does the same to unauthorized marches, rallies, RF president' allows the US to tell the 'world' and ilk chime in EU, US, UN..to smear RF with charges
of not allowing "freedom of assembly" ," human rights", etc..US, NGO's with cash to buy rallies. Fund signs banners, tee shirts etc..PM Putin make sure
legislation was passed that cleared the way for RF 'not' to allow such groups into RF "unless they did paperwork to RF why in RF, and what they will be doing
and they have to file with RF offices to show plans of what they will do and with 'whom' etc..US, ilk will not be able to be on RF soil to install their puppet
to run RF as in Rose, Orange etc.US Revolutions as client state allegiance to US and Israel the US "rock solid"client state in M.E. is to have no say in RF government anything. rallies, elections, etc..the "mistake" President Medvedev "continues" instead of holding a press conference and saying the following: RF has law against "unauthorized" assembly,rallies, marches, just as the US a so-called beacon of "freedom"? - when US arrest "unauthorized" marches, rallies, people etc. especially in US, Washisngton DC so what why the comments of the US State Department spokesman "expected RF to honor agreements, RF Constitution etc?-- US officials who hold press conferencse to insult slander and demonize RF ARE: "Immoral Finger Pointing War Criminals" so called Superpower! RF other couturiers who don't do US and funded client state Isreal bidding on command as demanded by US or don't allow their "rock solid" war criminals client state Israelis deand RF buy their weapons -- and who not to sell weapons to will feel "economic" wrath and tarnished by US in 'wold' press -- PM Putn told the press exactly why demonstrators were arrested and removed but the Western counties mostly US refused to hear the "truth" -- Knowing full well President Medvedev would "allow" Obama to "chastise demonize and tell RF they will be monitored for not allowing freedom of assembly and human rights. -- Putin in 2012 or else RF, its citizens, assets will be under US occupation! Remember US policy toward RF: "Containment by Encirclement" the Czechs are going to US this month to get the pic ops and money for US military bases, personnel and weapons on Czech soil. -- Will discuses as to how Czechs can benefit the US by helping US "Contain RF by Encirclement" by US militry means. Kaliningrad EMP can trash US sophisticated 'expensive' weapons -- "Encircling " RF from Poland's soil too! US will promised jets, missiles, anti missiles tanks etc. and cash Pols and Czechs elected officials agreed even though citizens didn't. US a so-called democracy told them 'no' referendum on matter.just do it.