Russia — Vocab #2

A Just Russia

A small party in the Russian Duma with a social-democratic orientation. Under the leadership of Sergey Mironov. (Socialist)

Constitutional Court

A high court within a country's judicial system that has the primary responsibility of interpreting and applying the nation's constitution, essentially deciding whether laws passed by the legislature are in line with the constitution and can be considered constitutional or not; it holds the power of judicial review to do so.

CPRF

The Communist Party of the Russian Federation, it is the second-strongest party. The party emphasizes centralized planning and nationalism, and implies an intention to regain territories lost when the Soviet Union broke apart.

Decrees

An executive's ability to issue orders or directives that have force similar to laws without going through legislative approval.

Dominant Party System

Is a political occurrence in which a single political party continuously dominates election results over running opposition groups or parties.

Duma

The lower house of the Russian parliament, the Federal Assembly, essentially meaning it is the legislative body of Russia where elected representatives sit and debate laws.

Federation Council

The upper house of the Russian Parliament. It consists of representatives from each of Russia's federal subjects and serves as a legislative body that reviews and approves laws passed by the lower house, the State Duma.

Head of Government

The individual within a country's executive branch who holds the most political power and is primarily responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of the government, implementing policies, and making key decisions.

Head of State

The highest-ranking official representing a country both domestically and internationally, usually performing ceremonial duties and serving as a symbolic figurehead for national unity, rather than actively managing day-to-day government operations; essentially, the public face of the country. 

Liberal Democrat Party of Russia (LDPR)

Is a far-right political party in the Russian Federation(communist, conservative, nationalist). Fiscally leftist and authoritarian.

Mafia

An organized international body of criminals, operating originally in Sicily and now especially in Italy and the US and having a complex and ruthless behavioral code.

Nashi

A youth movement/organization in Russia known for its strong support for Vladimir Putin's government. It aimed to promote patriotism among young Russians while also suppressing opposition movements.

Power Vertical

A highly centralized political system where power flows upwards from lower levels of government to a single, dominant leader at the top.

Presidetial-Parliamentary Systems (Semi-Presidential System)

A system combines elements of both parliamentary and presidential systems. It features an elected president as head of state alongside a prime minister who is responsible for the day-to-day governance.

Slavophile

A person who strongly believes in the unique values, culture, and traditions of Slavic people.

Soft Authoritarian

A political regime that exhibits characteristics of both authoritarianism and democracy, where a government maintains significant control over power while seemingly allowing some democratic elements like elections, but with significant restrictions on political competition and civil liberties, often manipulating the system to maintain power without fully suppressing dissent.

State Corporatism

A political culture and a form of corporatism the proponents of which claim or believe that corporate groups should form the basis of society and the state.

Supreme Court

The highest judicial body within a country's legal system, holding ultimate authority in interpreting and applying the constitution.

United Russia Party

Currently Russia's ruling political party. It supports President Vladimir Putin's policies and has dominated Russian politics since its establishment in 2001.