Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[jasonlulu_2000]

There is a puzzling sentence as follows.



Time magazine named Putin its person of 2007, recognizing the Russian leader's role in achieving stability even at the cost of Western-style freedom and democracy.



Here could you paraphrase "at the cost of Western-style freedom and democracy"? Does Russia lose or gain freedom and democracy in this context?



Thanks,



Jason

[rice07]

Hi

to achieve A at the cost of B: to achieve A by paying the equivalent of B

example:

She saved him from the fire but at the cost of her own life(=she died).

So I guess you've got the answer to your question in mind!

(In my opinion,Putine imposed the western-style freedom and democracy that at that moment were different from the Russia's,in order to achieving stability.)

[rice07]

Correction=>(In my opinion,I would suppose Putin imposed the western-style freedom and democracy on Russia that at that moment were different from the Russia's,in order to achieve stability

[Lorikeet]

Hmm actually I think it might be the opposite. I believe he reduced the Western-style freedom and democracy in order to improve stability.

[rice07]

Hi Lorikeet

Good going! I believe you're right .I got an impulsive paraphrase to that question.Putin should reduce(sacrifice) the western-style democracy and freedom for achieving stability,and this paraphrase is resonable to the question.Thank teacher for correcting my mistake!

[Lorikeet]

And thank you rice07 for participating in the forums and stretching your language learning!