AP Comp Gov (Unit 2) - Russia

Bolsheviks

A revolution led in 1917 that overthrew the Russian provisional Government during World War One; established Soviet Russia as a socialist state.

bourgeoisie

The capitalist middle class that owns the means of production and shapes economic policies and political structures, often prioritizing profit and capital accumulation.

command economy

An economy in which the state owns most of the resources and makes all major economic decisions.

communism

A political and economic ideology where the means of production are owned and controlled by the government, eliminating private property to stop class struggles.

cult of personality

An effort made to create an idealized and heroic image of a leader, often through unquestioned flattery, praise, and imagery.

cultural revolution

Launched by Mao Zedong in 1966 to renew loyalty to communism and purge China of elitists undermining the government.

de-Stalinization

A political reform launched by the Soviet Communist Party that condemned Stalin's cult of personality and crimes, promoting a return to socialism.

glasnost

A Soviet policy of openness addressing political and social issues, allowing greater transparency and criticism of the government.

nomenklatura

The process of filling influential government positions with people approved by the Communist Party.

perestroika

A restructuring of the Soviet political and economic systems towards a market-based economy.

proletariat

The working class in a capitalist society, particularly those who sell their labor to survive.

Politburo

A small group of influential people holding the highest decision-making power in a communist party and state.

Secretariat

Responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Communist Soviet Union.

shock therapy

Imposing a wide range of radical economic changes to shock the economy into a new mode of operation.

socialism

An economic and political system where the means of production are owned and controlled by the government to reduce social inequalities.

totalitarianism

A political system where the state attempts to exert total authority over all areas of public and private life.

Warsaw Pact

A political and military establishment between the Soviet Union and Eastern European countries to counterbalance NATO.

Five-year plan

State-driven economic programs implemented by the Soviet Union under Stalin to rapidly industrialize and collectivize agriculture.

Oligarchs

a small group of powerful and wealthy individuals who gained control of important sectors of Russia’s economy; Business oligarchs of the former Soviet republics who rapidly accumulated wealth in the 1990s via Russian privatization.

Duma

Russian assembly with advisory or legislative functions, responsible for approving the prime minister and impeaching the president.