AP COMP GOV UNIT 2

Q: Why is Russia an important case study in comparative government?

A:

• History of communism (Soviet Union) and totalitarianism

• Transition to democracy

• Example of an illiberal democracy

• Concept of "managed democracy" (Ivan Krastev)

• Recent trend toward authoritarianism under Putin

Q: How is the Russian president elected?

A:

• Directly elected for a six-year term

• Two-ballot majority system: If no candidate wins a majority in the first round, a second round is held

• No runoff since 1996 (Yeltsin's election)

Q: Why have international observers criticized Russian elections?

A: They lack competitiveness and civil liberties and often show evidence of fraud.

Q: What type of government does Russia have?

A: A semi-presidential system, where the president holds dominant power and the prime minister has limited authority.

Q: What are the key features of the Russian presidency?

A:

• Directly elected by majority vote

• Six-year term (changed from 4 years)

• Limited to two consecutive terms (but this was amended in 2020 to extend Putin’s power)

• Holds most executive power in government

Q: What powers does the Russian president have?

A:

• Appoints prime minister, cabinet, and governors

• Submits bills to the legislature

• Issues decrees with the force of law

• Can dissolve the Duma

• Nominates judges (approved by the Federation Council)

• Declares a state of emergency or martial law

• Sets foreign policy

Q: What is the role of the Russian prime minister?

A:

• Appointed by the president (approved by the Duma)

• Can be dismissed at any time

• Has little formal power, mostly advisory

• Chairs meetings of senior officials

• Can be removed via two votes of no confidence within three months

Q: What is asymmetric federalism in Russia?

A: Some regional governments have more autonomy than others.

Q: What are the two chambers of Russia’s Federal Assembly?

A:

1. State Duma (Lower House)

2. Federation Council (Upper House)

Q: What does “power vertical” mean in Putin’s Russia?

A: A centralized, hierarchical executive power structure from national to local levels.

Q: How has Putin reduced regional autonomy?

A:

• Created 7 federal super districts

• Ended direct election of governors (president now appoints them)

• Can remove governors who don’t align with the national government

• Reformed State Duma elections to favor United Russia

Q: What powers does the State Duma have?

A:

• Passes bills

• Approves the budget

• Confirms presidential appointments (e.g., Prime Minister)

• Can impeach the president (though this is extremely difficult)

Q: How are Duma members elected?

A:

• Originally: Mixed system (half by SMD, half by PR)

• 2007 Reform: Fully proportional representation (PR)

• 2016 Reform: Returned to mixed system (SMD + PR)

Q: What powers does the Federation Council have?

A:

• Approves presidential appointees

• Can delay bills (but Duma can override with a 2/3 vote)

• Ratifies military use outside Russia

• Approves changes to regional boundaries

Q: What is the role of Russia’s Constitutional Court?

A: Judicial review, but avoids confronting the presidency.

Q: What is the role of the Supreme Court?

A: The highest appeals court for criminal and civil cases (but no judicial review).

Q: What is a major issue in Russia’s legal system?

A: Corruption (e.g., bribery for permits, healthcare, and court rulings).

Q: What is statism in Russian political culture?

A: The belief in a strong, centralized state controlling major policies.

Q: How has historical food shortages influenced Russian attitudes?

A:

• Created a distrust of the wealthy

• Expectation that the state should solve inequality

Q: What political reforms under Putin have centralized control?

A:

• Created federal super-districts

• Eliminated elected governors

• Controlled media

• Changed presidential term from 4 to 6 years

Q: What is a dominant party system?

A: A system where one large party dominates, but smaller parties exist.

Q: What is the ruling party in Russia?

A: United Russia (created in 2001)

Q: What are some opposition parties in Russia?

A:

• Communist Party (CPRF) – Supports nationalism, state control

• Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR) – Nationalist, anti-Western

• Actual liberal opposition parties – Struggle due to state repression

Q: How does Russia’s media environment function?

A:

• State controls most major media outlets

• Journalists critical of the government often face violence or assassination

• Oligarchs control media companies with state connections

Q: What happened to Alexander Litvinenko?

A:

• Former FSB agent, critic of Putin

• Poisoned in London (2006) with a radioactive isotope

• UK accused Russia of involvement

Q: What type of party system does Russia have?

A: A dominant party system, where United Russia controls the political landscape, while smaller parties exist but have little real influence.

Q: What is the role of United Russia in Russian politics?

A:

• Founded in 2001 to support Putin

• Lacks a clear ideology

• Maintains power through patron-client networks and election manipulation

Q: What is the strongest opposition party in Russia?

A: The Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF), which supports centralized planning, nationalism, and reclaiming Soviet-era territories.

Q: What major challenges do liberal opposition parties face in Russia?

A:

• Disorganized and struggle to communicate their message

• Harassed and intimidated by the government

• Difficult to get on the ballot due to state-controlled elections

Q: How does the Russian government control the media?

A:

• Most media outlets are state-controlled

• Journalists critical of the government face violence or assassination

• State-affiliated companies own large shares in major media outlets

Q: Who are the oligarchs, and why are they important?

A:

• Wealthy elites who gained control of industries after privatization in the 1990s

• Originally supported Yeltsin, but Putin has since restricted their power

Q: What role does the mafia play in Russian society?

A:

• Controls organized crime, the black market, and some legitimate businesses

• Gained power after the fall of the Soviet Union (1991)

Q: How has Putin centralized power?

A:

• Created federal super-districts (appointed leaders loyal to him)

• Eliminated direct elections of governors (now appointed by the president)

• Controls media and elections to maintain dominance

Q: What is state corporatism, and how does it function in Russia?

A:

• The state controls and manages civil society (including interest groups)

• NGOs advocating human rights are often banned

• Only state-affiliated interest groups have influence

Q: What is the largest ethnic minority in Russia?

A: Tatars (3.8%), a Muslim ethnic group.

Q: Why is Chechnya a major issue in Russian politics?

A:

• A Muslim-majority region that has fought for independence

• Two wars in the 1990s and ongoing conflicts with separatists

Q: What is the dominant religion in Russia?

A: Russian Orthodox Christianity (40%), though 38% of Russians are non-religious.

Q: What is the key social class divide in modern Russia?

A:

• Small wealthy elite (oligarchs)

• Large working class

• Small middle class (much smaller than in Western countries)

Q: How does the urban-rural divide shape Russian politics?

A:

• Urban Russians (mostly in the West) are better educated and more pro-Western

• Rural Russians are poorer, more conservative, and support Putin’s nationalist policies