Comp Gov Russia

Asymmetrical Federalism

A system in which some regions have more formal power and autonomy than others

State Duma

The directly elected lower house of the Russian Parliament that represents the people and has the power to pass laws, confirm the prime minister, and begin impeachment proceedings against the president.

Federation Council

The appointed upper house of the Russian Parliament that represents the regions and has the power to initiate, review, and amend legislation, approve troop deployments, and remove the president

Duma Election

450 seats total

225 by SMD plurality

225 by PR with a 5% threshold

Parties that are not already in the Duma must register with the United Russia controlled Central Elections Commission

Federation Council Appointment

170 seats total

2 from each subunit (85 subunits total), 1 is selected by the governor, 1 is selected by the regional assembly

Presidential Election

Citizens directly vote for the president

Presidential Powers

President is the head of state. President appoints and can remove the Prime Minister. President appoints all the cabinet heads. President is the Commander in Chief. President has direct control over Foreign Affairs, Defense, the Interior, and Federal Security Service. Can issue decrees that cannot be challenged by the legislature or judiciary.

PM Powers

Supposed to be Head of Government, but really the president has most power in domestic matters. PM oversees the cabinet. PM is in charge of implementing policy. PM can become president in the event the president is incapacitated.

Supreme Court

The Russian supreme court has the power of concrete review. It is meant to serve as a final court of appeals, but its rulings do not set a standard for interpreting the constitution, nor can it nullify actions of the executive or legislature.

Constitutional Court

The Russian constitutional court has the powers of concrete, abstract, and judicial review. While it can rule on cases directly in front of it, it can also make decisions about the constitutionality of government actions without needing a case in front of it. Its power of Judicial Review is not exercised against Putin or United Russia because judges are appointed by the president and confirmed by the United Russia controlled Federation Council.

Presidential Term Limit and Term of Office

2 consecutive 6 year terms, a recent constitutional amendment reset Putin’s count however

Russian Political Parties

United Russia - Largest party. Conservative and Nationalist. Basically the Putin Party

CPRF - Successor to the Soviet Union Communist Party. Accepts free-market economics but still pushes communist policies to give the government more control of the economy. Also nationalist and imperialist

Liberal Democratic Party - Hyper Nationalist and Expansionist

A Just Russia - Pro-welfare Socialist Party. Supports Putin

Rentier State

A state that relies on the export of oil or from the leasing of resources to foreign entities as a significant source of government revenue.

Resource Curse

A problem faced by countries that have a valuable and abundant natural resource, which limits diversification of the economy, makes government revenue dependent on the world market, increases opportunities for corruption, and lessens the government’s responsiveness to citizens

Civil Society

Groups that form outside of the government’s control

Political Culture

A set of collectively held attitudes, values, and beliefs about government and politics

Political Socialization

The process through which an individual learns about politics and is taught about society’s common political values and beliefs

Postmaterialism

A set of values in a society in which most citizens are economically secure enough to move beyond immediate economic (materialist) concerns to “quality of life” issues like human rights, civil rights, women’s rights, environmentalism, and moral values

Individualism

The belief that people should be free to make their own decisions and that the government should not unnecessarily regulate individual behavior or restrict civil liberties.

Political Ideology

An individual’s set of beliefs and values about government, politics, and policy

Neoliberalism

A philosophy favoring economic policies that support the free market and reduce trade barriers