AP Comp Gov: Russia Federation

Illiberal democracy (hybrid democracy)

Rule by an elected leadership through procedures of questionable democratic legitimacy.

kleptocracy

“Rule by theft,” where those in power seek only to

drain the state of assets and resources.

Shock Therapy

Policies in formerly communist countries that aim for a rapid shift to a market economy.

insider privatization

A process in Russia whereby the former nomenklatura directors of firms were able to acquire the largest share when those firms were privatized

Mikhail Khodorkovsky

privately owned an oil business (Yukos) that was broken up by the government over alleged unpaid taxes and he was jailed. One of the riches men in Russia.

Civil society

Organizations that are voluntary and autonomous self governing groups created to advance their own causes like NGO’s.

Non-government organization (NGO)

Nonprofit groups outside government control usually focused on social or political issues

“Foreign Agents” Law (2012)

Criticism or alternative views of government policy seem as disloyal, foreign sponsored or even traders

Anti-Corruption Foundation (ABK)

Founded by Alexei Navalny, they investigate high ranking officials in Russia. The Russian government declared the organization was a foreign agent and labeled it as extremist.

asymmetric federalism

a system in which power is devolved unequally across the country

semi-presidential system

An executive system that divides power between two strong executives, a president and a prime minister.

Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

Confederacy of independent states of the former Soviet Union that have united because of their common economic and administrative needs.

Duma

Lower House, 450 members, elected by FPRP and PR, election every 5 years, approve PM, impeach president.

Federal Council

Upper house of legislature (170 members), two members from each 89 federal districts, one selected by the governor of that district, one selected by the regional legislature, used to represent regions, can delay legislation, but Duma can override with a two-thirds vote.

Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF), Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR)

opposition parties that participate but face substantial challenges in competing on an equal footing with United Russia.

2020 Constitutional Reform

allowed Putin to run for two more 6 year terms, had lots of things that the people wanted like higher wages and better pension but it strengthened presidential power.

Eurasian Economic Union

A new economic and political association that would cover Ukraine and Kazahstan among other lands from the former Russian Empire and USSR. Putin saw it as a way to reduce Russian vulnerability to external shocks.