Key Figures and Concepts in Russian Politics

These flashcards cover key figures, political parties, and concepts in Russian history and politics based on the lecture notes.

Vladimir Putin

President of Russia since 2000, known for rebuilding central authority and promoting nationalism.

Alexei Navalny

Prominent opposition leader and anti-corruption activist in Russia who exposed corruption and organized protests.

Mikhail Gorbachev

Last leader of the Soviet Union, known for glasnost and perestroika, which contributed to the USSR's collapse.

Mikhail Mishustin

Prime minister of Russia since 2020, focused on modernizing the tax system while remaining loyal to Putin.

Dmitri Medvedev

President of Russia from 2008-2012, served while Putin was barred from a consecutive term.

Boris Yeltsin

First president of post-Soviet Russia, known for ending communist rule and implementing shock therapy.

Mikhail Khodorkovsky

Former oil oligarch who opposed Putin and exemplified the limitations on independent political power.

Leonid Brezhnev

Soviet leader characterized by political stability and economic stagnation with tight party control.

Nikita Khrushchev

Soviet leader who condemned Stalin, reduced repression, and promoted limited reforms.

Joseph Stalin

Totalitarian dictator of the USSR who ruled through terror and led the USSR to victory in WWII.

Vladimir Lenin

Founder of the Soviet Union and leader of the Bolshevik Revolution advocating a disciplined party leading socialism.

Boris Berezovsky

Powerful oligarch who initially supported Putin but later opposed him, representing the decline of oligarch independence.

United Russia

The ruling political party in Russia that supports Putin and maintains regime stability.

Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF)

Main opposition party that appeals to nostalgic voters but does not seriously challenge Putin.

Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR)

Nationalist and populist party that supports strong leadership despite its misleading name.

A Just Russia

Center-left party aiming to attract socialist-leaning voters while remaining loyal to the government.

Yabloko

Liberal, pro-democracy party advocating for civil rights and Western-style reforms but marginalized under Putin.

Russia of the Future

Political movement founded by Navalny promoting democracy and anti-corruption but banned by the government.

Kulaks

Wealthier peasants targeted by Stalin during collectivization, facing severe repression.

Nashi

Pro-Kremlin youth movement aimed at promoting patriotism and supporting Putin.

KGB

Soviet intelligence and secret police agency responsible for surveillance and repression during the Cold War.

FSB

Main domestic security agency in Russia, regarded as the successor to the KGB, closely tied to Putin.

Cheka

First Soviet secret police force created to suppress opposition through terror.

Apparatchik

Bureaucrat in the Communist Party who gained power through loyalty rather than merit.

Asymmetric Federalism

System where regions have varying levels of autonomy, used to manage diversity while maintaining central control.

Caucasus Region

Ethnically diverse and politically unstable region in southern Russia known for separatist movements.

Central Committee

High-ranking body in the Communist Party governing affairs between congresses.

Chechnya

Republic in the Caucasus that has fought for independence from Russia and is controlled by a pro-Putin leader.

Decrees

Presidential orders with the force of law that allow the president to bypass parliament.

De-Stalinization

Process of condemning Stalin's legacy and easing repression initiated under Khrushchev.

Duma

Lower house of Russia’s parliament that is formally responsible for legislation, dominated by pro-Kremlin parties.

Federation Council

Upper house of parliament representing Russia's regions, typically supportive of presidential decisions.

Five-Year Plans

Centralized economic plans used by the Soviet government for controlling production.

General Secretary

Top leadership position in the Communist Party, the most powerful role in Soviet politics.

Glasnost

Policy of openness and transparency implemented by Gorbachev to expand free speech.

Insider Privatization

Process in the 1990s that allowed former officials to gain control of state assets, creating oligarchs.

Kremlin

Historic fortress in Moscow, serving as the symbolic center of Russian political power.

Nomenklatura

Group of party-approved officials holding key positions in government and industry.

Parties of Power

Political parties created to support the ruling executive rather than represent voters.

Perestroika

Gorbachev’s reform program aimed at restructuring the Soviet economy and political system.

Politburo

Top decision-making body of the Communist Party in the Soviet Union.

Proletariat

The working class according to Marxist theory, viewed as the force to overthrow capitalism.

Semibankirshchina

Group of powerful bankers and oligarchs who dominated Russian politics in the 1990s.

Shock Therapy

Rapid economic transition from a planned economy to capitalism that resulted in economic turmoil.

Siloviki

Political elites from security and military backgrounds who dominate modern Russian politics.

State Corporatism

Economic system where the state maintains control over or partners with major industries.

Statism

Belief in strong state control over society and the economy.

Slavophile vs. Westerner

Debate on whether Russia should follow its traditional path or adopt Western models.

Super-Districts

Large administrative regions created by Putin to enhance federal control.

Oligarch

Extremely wealthy individuals who gained significant power during privatization.

Vanguard of the Revolution

Lenin's idea of a disciplined party leading the working class toward socialism.