The global political crisis ― a natural outcome of the continuing economic crisis ― finally made it to Russia last month before getting derailed by the country's traditional hibernation in early January.
Nothing much happens in Russia between December 31 and January 13 ― and particularly not a revolution. While the organisers of the protest demonstrations headed for swanky resorts in Mexico and other sunny spots, their grassroot supporters were stuck in cold, dreary Russia.
They retired to their cramped apartments to drink vodka and discuss the country's uncertain fate.
The two-week vacation turned out to be a gift for the authorities and the opposition. The authorities were quite happy because the holiday brought a lull in the opposition's passions and drained the protest movement of the momentum it had only begun to build.
Even though Russians made a psychological shift from passivity to active protest last month, that momentum will have to be generated anew if the demonstrations are to resume early next month as planned.
The holidays have also given the Kremlin time to reflect and work out a strategy for handling future protests and protesters' demands. Rather than altering policy, however, leaders have focused on staffing changes.
President Dmitry Medvedev proposed a couple of political reforms in December, but they would be implemented only in early 2013. It is clear that Medvedev's proposals are little more than an imitation of concessions to the protesters.
Most disturbing of all, Russia may not have the luxury to wait until 2013 to make even these cosmetic changes. The looming recession and the possible failure of the euro zone in the West could lead to falling oil prices and serious economic and political consequences for Russia.
The opposition is not in a much better situation. The liberal politicians who set the tone for the Moscow demonstrations understand that people responded to their call only because they are fed up with the lies, corruption and lawlessness of the government.
Disgust with the government by no means indicates that protesters have a deep trust or admiration of the opposition leaders. Recall how nearly half the speakers at the rally on Prospekt Akademika Sakharova on December 24 were met with catcalls by various groups.
Moreover, the leaders of the opposition risk losing their only trump card. Either the protesting masses will become more radicalised, uncontrollable and prone to violence, or the reverse will happen ― they will grow tired, divided, demoralised and increasingly difficult to mobilise.
Either outcome would be catastrophic for the liberals.
Of course, the authorities would prefer the protesters to tire, but there is no guarantee that will happen.
Both sides have an interest in reaching a mutual agreement as soon as possible. The liberals must exact at least a few concessions from the Kremlin before the next round of demonstrations ― their only bargaining chip with the authorities ― slip out from under their control.
For its part, the Kremlin would do better to reach agreement with the opposition now than to face unpredictable and perhaps violent protests later.
Several opposition figures leaked the information that secret negotiations with the authorities began in last month. The question now is: What are the two sides discussing and have they reached an agreement?
Despite calls for compromise from such disparate groups as the business community and the Russian Orthodox Church, it is not clear that the parties will manage to reach an agreement.
The opposition might demand a postponement of the presidential election scheduled for March to allow for real opposition candidates ― and not the soft ones who were handpicked by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin ― to be registered so they can run against him.
Note that nobody is calling for the replacement of liberals within the economic ministries who are themselves supporters of former finance minister Alexei Kudrin and his economic course.
The real problem is Putin. For the ruling elite, Putin's extra six- or 12-year hold on power is their guarantee of stability, and they will not sacrifice him to satisfy protesters.
As a result, the authorities and the opposition might find themselves drawn into a new round of confrontation, and neither side would be prepared for it.
The liberals have a sincere and deep desire to achieve their goals peacefully, constitutionally and without a revolution. But if they are guided by their fears, they could very well push the situation toward an impasse in which violence is the only option available.
[Boris Kagarlitsky is the director of the Institute of Globalisation Studies. This article first appeared in the Moscow Times.]
Video: Boris Kagarlitsky on the state of the Russian left and the protest movement. The Real News Network.