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Illiberal Democracy
A governing system that combines democratic elections with the absence of civil liberties and political freedoms. In an illiberal democracy, the rule of law may be weak, and political opposition is often suppressed.
Kievan Rus
A historical state that existed from the late 9th to the mid-13th century, considered a cultural and political predecessor to modern Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.
Golden Horde
A Mongol khanate that ruled over parts of Russia and Eastern Europe during the 13th to 15th centuries, significantly influencing the region's political landscape.
Oprichniki
A state policy implemented by Ivan the Terrible in the 16th century, involving a secret police force that enforced the Tsar's will and suppressed dissent.
Tsar
The title for a Russian emperor, derived from the Latin 'Caesar,' symbolizing supreme authority in the state.
Boyars
Noble class in Russia, serving as advisors to the Tsar and holding significant land and influence.
Enlightened Despots
Monarchs who embraced Enlightenment ideas while maintaining absolute power, promoting reforms in governance and society.
February Revolution
A key event in 1917 that led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the end of the Russian Empire, marking the beginning of the Russian Revolution.
October Revolution
The 1917 Bolshevik uprising that led to the overthrow of the Provisional Government in Russia, establishing a communist regime.
Bolsheviks
A faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party that, led by Vladimir Lenin, seized power in the October Revolution and established a one-party socialist state.
Marxisism-Leninism
A political ideology developed by Vladimir Lenin that combines Marxist theory with a focus on a vanguard party to lead the working class in revolution.
Vanguardism
A political concept emphasizing the role of a leading party or group in guiding the working class towards revolutionary goals and establishing a socialist state.
Soviets
Councils of workers and soldiers that played a key role in the Russian Revolution, representing the interests of the proletariat.
Democratic Centralism
A political system in which decisions made by the central leadership are binding on all members, combining democratic discussion with centralized control.
Nomenklatura
A system of appointing individuals to key positions in government and industry in the Soviet Union, ensuring loyalty to the Communist Party.
Politburo
The executive committee and leading decision-making body of the Communist Party in the Soviet Union, responsible for overseeing government policy and party activities.
Collectivization
The policy of consolidating individual landholdings and labor into collective farms in the Soviet Union, aimed at increasing agricultural productivity and state control.
Five Year Plan
A government initiative in the Soviet Union aimed at rapidly industrializing the economy and increasing production output over a five-year period.
Joseph Stalin
A series of nationwide centralized economic plans implemented in the Soviet Union to boost industrial and agricultural production.
Nikita Krushchev
Leader of the Soviet Union after Stalin, known for de-Stalinization and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Mikhail Gorbachev
The last leader of the Soviet Union, known for his policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) that aimed to reform the economy and promote political transparency.
Glasnost
A policy introduced by Gorbachev aimed at increasing transparency and freedom of expression in government and society.
Democratization
The process of transitioning from an authoritarian regime to a democratic political system, emphasizing political pluralism and citizen participation.
Perestroika
A policy introduced by Gorbachev focused on restructuring the Soviet economy and political system to encourage efficiency and innovation.
Boris Yeltsin
The first President of Russia after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, known for implementing significant political and economic reforms during the transition to a market economy.
Shock Therapy
An economic reform strategy implemented in Russia during the 1990s aimed at rapidly transitioning from a planned economy to a market-oriented economy, often involving sudden liberalization and privatization.
Constitution of 1993
The foundational legal document of the Russian Federation that established the structure of government, defined the rights of citizens, and was adopted following a constitutional crisis.
Insider Privatization
A process in Russia during the post-Soviet transition where state-owned enterprises were sold to individuals or groups with insider connections, often leading to concentrated wealth among a few.
Vladimir Putin
The current President of Russia, first elected in 2000, known for consolidating power and implementing policies that have led to significant changes in Russian governance and international relations.
Hybrid Regime
A political system that combines elements of democracy and authoritarianism, often featuring competitive elections but limited political freedoms and civil liberties.
Kremlin
The executive branch of the Russian government, often associated with the central authority and decision-making power in Russia.
Asymmetric Federalism
A type of federalism where power is distributed unequally between constituent entities, leading to significant variations in autonomy and governance among regions.
Power Vertical
A political structure in Russia where power is centralized and hierarchically organized, allowing the Kremlin to exert control over regional leaders and institutions.
Decrees
Official orders issued by the Kremlin or government authorities that have the force of law.
Semi-Presidential System
A system of government that features both a president and a prime minister, where the president often has significant powers, but the prime minister manages the government's day-to-day operations.
Duma
The lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia, responsible for legislative functions and representing the electorate.
Mixed Elections
A system of electoral representation that combines both proportional representation and single-member districts, allowing for a more diverse representation in the legislature.
Federation Council
The upper house of the Federal Assembly of Russia, representing the regions and composed of representatives from each federal subject.
State Corporatism
A political system in which the state exerts significant control over various sectors of society, including the economy, often through state-owned enterprises and close ties with large businesses.
United Russia
Communist Party
The ruling political party in Russia, historically associated with Marxist-Leninist ideology, which seeks to represent the interests of the working class and promote socialist policies.
Liberal Democratic Party
A political party in Russia that combines nationalism with liberal economic policies, often characterized by its populist rhetoric and support for strong presidential power.
Oligarchs
Wealthy individuals in Russia who gained significant power and influence during the privatization of state assets in the 1990s.
Russian Mafia
A complex network of organized crime groups in Russia involved in various illegal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, and money laundering, often linked to political corruption.
Constitutional Court
The highest court in Russia that oversees the constitutionality of laws and protects citizens' constitutional rights.
Federal Security Service (FSB)
The principal security agency in Russia, responsible for counterintelligence, internal and border security, and surveillance, as well as combating terrorism.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky
A former Russian oligarch and businessman, known for his opposition to Vladimir Putin and his political activism, who was imprisoned on charges widely seen as politically motivated.
Chechnya
A federal subject of Russia, known for its history of conflict with the Russian government and efforts for independence, particularly during the Chechen Wars.
Russian Orthodox
A branch of Christianity that disagrees with Catholics and Protestants
Statism
a political system in which the state has substantial centralized control over social and economic affairs.
Collectivist
a theory or political system based on the principle that all industries and services should be owned by or for all the people in that country
Slavophile
a person who greatly admires the Slavic peoples or their languages
Russia of the Future
a banned opposition political party in Russia that fought for justice and equality
Alexi Navalny
Russian lawyer and anti-Putin activist who was arrested and killed for his actions
Pussy Riot
Anti-Putin punk rock activist group
Ukraine Conflict
Russian invasion of Ukraine in an attempt to rebuild the Soviet Union
Caucasus
A section of Eastern Europe and Western Asia which the Caucasian people came from
Russian Foreign Agent Law
defines a "foreign agent" as any Russian or foreign entity or individual who receives support or is under foreign influence
Cheka
The first soviet police organization
Commonwealth of Independent State
a regional intergovernmental organization in Eurasia. It was formed following the dissolution of the Soviet Union with around 240 million members
Siloviki
government workers who are authorized to use force against citizens
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