Midterm Unit IV: The Russian Federation

Authoritarianism:

a form of government that concentrates power in a small group or a single authority

Marxism-Leninism:

 Ideological foundation of Soviet Communism, combining Marxist theory of class struggle  and Lenin vanguard party to lead the revolution and control the state. 

Coercion and surveillance:

 2004 Chechen rebels took over a school, Putin sent in troops, 334 died (186 children), this led to increase in security, surveillance, crackdown on dissidents, direct appointment of Governors by Putin (2005-2011). Coercion rule with military and KGB (security intelligence)

Personality cult:

A system created by Stalin that centers admiration and nationalism around that political leader (adopted by Putin) 

Patrimonialism:

 a system of governance in which a single ruler treats the state as personal property

Communism:

 a political and economic system where the means of production (like factories, land, and businesses) are owned by the state or public, with the goal of distributing wealth equally among citizens based on need, typically characterized by a single-party rule and a rejection of private property

Nomenklatura:

 politically sensitive or influential jobs in the state, society or economy were staffed by people chosen or approved by the Communist Party. 

Communist party:

The main opposition party, advocating for a return to socialism and state ownership. It is critical of neoliberal reforms, but operates within the system, often serving as “controlled opposition” 

Central-planning:

an economic system where key decisions regarding production, distribution, and resource allocation are made by a central authority or government rather than through market forces.

Privatization:

The transfer of state ownership to private ownership

Marketization:

 free economy with no state power over private property.

Oligarchs:

Russian people noted for their control of large amounts of the Russian economy (including Media). Their ties to the government and accusations of corruption surrounding their rise to power. 

Siloviki:

 In Russian “men of power” who have their origins in the security agencies and are close to the president. 

Duma:

Lower house of Russia federal assembly. Responsible for passing laws approving budgets and confirming the prime minister. 

Cheka: 

 Secret soviet police created by Lenin, precursor to KGB

KGB

 Soviet secret service agency charged with domestic and foreign intelligence. 

FSB:

Successor to the KGB, the Russian intelligence agency.

Semi-presidential:

 Where a prime-minister coexists with a president

Federation Council:

The upper house  of the federal assembly. Responsible for passing laws, approving budgets and confirming the prime minister. 

Kremlin:

official residence of the president and administrative center of executive power. 

Constitutional court:

This court ensures laws comply with the Russian Constitution. It revolves around disputes between branches of government and protects constitutional rights. 

Asymmetric Federalism:

A  system where different regions of Russia have varying levels of autonomy (ex: Chechnya have special agreements with the central gov’t, granting more independence compared to other regions. 

shock therapy:

A process of rapid marketization 

power vertical:

 A term used by Vladmir Putin to describe a unified and hierarchical structure of power ranging from the executive power ranging from the federal level to the local level, which can be reinforced by various mechanisms such as appointment of lower officials by higher level officials and oversight of activities of lower organs by higher ones.