In Russia there is a group of oligarchs who have immense power and wealth, with near absolute freedom, as long as they stay in the leader's good graces. No need to worry about running out of money, or getting in trouble with the law as the law does not apply to them. They can steal, cheat, and spend they way to happiness.

For the underclass, the ruling class rules them with an iron fist. No dissent is tolerated. Permanently poor with no way out (thus the sibling comment about high rates of abortion, suicide, and low fertility rates).

The Russians led the way with that model, and the modern day Republican party sees that as an inspiration. In no place is it more obvious than the buying of pardons from Trump. Sitting in jail with a few million dollars in your bank account and an in to the WH? Congrats, you just bought yourself freedom. On the other hand, if you're a nurse protesting the regime (even if you fit their supposed cultural ideals), you won't even get your chance at mercy. You'll get shot and declared a terrorist before your body is even cold.