Unit 2: The Political Landscape of the Russian Federation

Authoritarian regime

A political system characterized by limited political competition and civil liberties.

USSR

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, a socialist state that existed from 1922 to 1991.

Illiberal democracy

A governing system in which, although elections take place, citizens are cut off from knowledge about the activities of those who exercise real power.

Statism

The belief that the state should control either economic or social policy, rather than private enterprise.

Federal republic

A federation of states with a republican form of government.

Constitution of 1993

The current constitution of the Russian Federation, adopted after the dissolution of the USSR.

Communist Manifesto

A political pamphlet by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels that lays out the principles of communism.

Marxism

A socio-political and economic theory that argues for a classless society through the overthrow of capitalism.

Bourgeoises

The capitalist class who own most of society's wealth and means of production.

Proletariat

The working class, who do not own the means of production and must sell their labor to survive.

Dimitri Medvedev

A Russian politician who served as President of Russia from 2008 to 2012.

Boris Yeltsin

The first President of the Russian Federation, serving from 1991 to 1999.

Vladimir Lenin

A Russian revolutionary leader who played a key role in the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917.

Karl Marx

A philosopher and economist known for his theories about capitalism and communism.

Vladimir Putin

The current President of Russia, known for his authoritarian style of governance.

Josef Stalin

The leader of the Soviet Union from the mid-1920s until his death in 1953, known for his totalitarian regime.

Leonid Brezhnev

General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1964 to 1982.

Mikhail Gorbachev

The last leader of the Soviet Union, known for his policies of glasnost and perestroika.

Marxism-Leninism

A political ideology that combines Marxist socio-economic theory with Leninist political theory.

Vanguardism

The political theory that a small group of revolutionaries should lead the way for the proletariat.

Democratic centralism

A political system in which decisions are made centrally but are supposed to reflect the will of the party members.

Bolshevik Revolution

The 1917 revolution in Russia that led to the establishment of a communist government.

Russian Revolution of 1917

The revolution that resulted in the overthrow of the Tsar and the establishment of a communist government.

Patriotism

The feeling of love and devotion to one's country.

Legitimacy

The right and acceptance of an authority, often a governing law or regime.

Lenin's Leadership

Lenin saw the need for a strong leader/group to begin the revolution...and then continue as a strong state.

Marx's View on State

Marx believed that once communism was in place, the state would ultimately dissolve.

NEP

Reversal to Capitalism to catch up and fulfill Marx's stages of history.

USSR Formation

1922 Bolsheviks formed the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).

Authoritarianism

Authoritarian strains eclipsed democratic elements.

Cheka

Cheka - security arm of the regime was strengthened and restrictions were placed on other political groups.

Stalinism

Stalinism (1929-1953) placed Communist Party at center of control and allowed no other political parties to compete.

Nomenklatura

Leaders identified through nomenklatura, a process of party members selecting promising recruits from lower levels.

Central Committee

Central Committee, Politburo, General Secretary were key components of the Communist Party structure.

Collectivization

Collectivization & Industrialization took land from peasants and created state run collective farms.

Five Year Plan

Set goals for production of heavy industry (oil, steel, electricity).

Holodomor Famine

The Holodomor Famine in Ukraine, which killed upwards of 6 million people, is still a sore issue between Ukraine and Russia today.

Pravda

State Run Media was called Pravda ("Truth" in Russian).

Stalin's Executions

Estimated 5% of population (millions of citizens) were executed for 'treason'.

Great Patriotic War

Stalin led the USSR through the Great Patriotic War, which killed 27 million Soviet citizens.

Brezhnev's Reforms

Brezhnev partially reversed Khrushchev's reforms; controls tightened in the cultural sphere.

Economic Stagnation

Economic Stagnation crippled standards of living in the USSR; consumer goods unavailable.

De-Stalinization

After Stalin dies, there is an attempt at De-Stalinization led by Nikita Khrushchev.

Khrushchev's Goals

Khrushchev's reforms included Glasnost (political openness) and Perestroika (economic reform).

Cuban Missile Crisis

The Cuban Missile Crisis was a significant event during Khrushchev's leadership.

Gorbachev's Goals

Mikhail Gorbachev aimed to adapt the communist system to new conditions, not to usher in its demise.

Shock Therapy

Shock Therapy involved rapid, radical market reform, loosening or lifting price and wage controls.

Yeltsin's Constitution

The Constitution of 1993 established a 3 branch government: President & PM, lower legislative house (Duma), Constitutional Court.

Effects of Shock Therapy

High inflation (1354% in 1992) and GDP decline were notable effects of Shock Therapy.

Rise of Oligarchs

The rise of oligarchs refers to elite, wealthy owners of natural resources and media that supported Yeltsin's 2nd term and Putin's 1st.

Freedom House rating

Rates Russia as 'not free.'

Yeltsin's resignation

Resulted from frequent illnesses, alcoholism, and erratic behavior.

2000 Election

Putin won the presidency and served 2 terms (4 years each).

2008 Election

Dimitri Medvedev became President for one term while Putin became PM.

2012 Election

Putin won and started a 6-year term.

2018 Election

Putin was elected again.

July 2020 Constitutional Changes

Approved allowing Putin to possibly stay as President until 2036.

Putin's popularity

Remains due to management of the economy, assertive foreign policy, embrace of nationalism and religion, strongman image, and repression of dissent.

1993 Democratic Constitution

Born of violence but has a history of authoritarianism.

Hybrid regime

Currently considered a semi-authoritarian system bordering on full authoritarianism.

Asymmetric Federalism

Some subnational units have greater or lesser powers than others.

85 regions

Subnational units including the Republic of Crimea & federal city of Sevastopol.

Multi-ethnic federal state

Russia is a multi-ethnic federal state with 21 ethnically non-Russian majority republics.

Political Structure Discussion

Discussion on why Russia has asymmetric federalism to deal with ethnic/regional cleavages.

Republics' rights

Have the right to establish their own official language and constitution.

Putin's Crack-Down on Regional Autonomy

Military crushed Chechen resistance and created super-districts.

7 new federal districts

Headed by a presidential appointee.

Appointment of Governors

Governors are nominated by the president and confirmed by regional legislatures.

Changes in Federation Council

Reflect the centralization of state power under Putin.

Legitimacy and Challenges

The regime has undermined civil society independence and faces international pressure.

Semi-Presidential System

A hybrid system that borrows from both Presidential and Parliamentary systems.

Presidential Powers

Include appointing PM, Cabinet & Governors, issuing decrees, and dissolving the Duma.

Impeachment process

Involves two houses of legislative body, the Supreme Court, and the Constitutional Court.

Presidential Succession

If the President dies or becomes incapacitated, the PM fills the post until new elections.

Dissolving the Duma

The President may dissolve the State Duma under specific conditions.

Prime Minister

Head of Government - Prime Minister

Mikhail Mishustin

Former head of tax

Appointment of Prime Minister

Appointed by president, no fixed term

Prime Minister's Powers

Supervises ministries not under presidential control, proposes legislation to parliament that upholds president's goals, promulgates the national budget

Removal of Prime Minister

Can be removed with 2 repeat votes of no confidence within 3 months

State Council

Advisory body to the Russian head of state, established by a decree of the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, on September 1, 2000

Focus of State Council

Focuses on development of governmental institutions, economic and social reforms and other objects affecting the public as a whole

Sessions of State Council

The sessions are held four times a year

Security Council

Created in 1992, consultative body of the Russian President that works out the President's decisions on national security affairs

Composition of Security Council

Composed of Russia′s top state officials and heads of defence and security agencies and chaired by the President of Russia

Bicameral Legislature

Weak check on executive power

Duma

Lower House with 450 Deputies (only about 13% women)

Election Method for Duma

Selected by Mixed Elections (MMD and SMD)

Duma Term Length

5 year terms

Powers of Duma

Passes bills, approves budget, confirms president's appointments

Limitations of Duma

Powers are limited, President may rule by decree, Duma's attempts to reject prime ministers have failed

Impeachment Power of Duma

Has power to impeach President, but very cumbersome process

Representation in Duma

Women underrepresented: 1984 in Soviet legislature 33%, Duma in 2010 13%

Electoral System Changes

Changed in 2007 from Mixed to PR

PR System Threshold

PR with 7% Threshold until 2016, then returned to mixed

Federation Council

Upper House that represents regions with 2 members from each of federal subunits - 170 seats

Selection of Federation Council Members

1 chosen by governor of each region, other by regional legislature

Powers of Federation Council

Mostly delay bills, approve presidential appointees and presidential decrees, change boundaries among republics, ratify use of armed forces outside country, appoint & remove judges

Constitutional Court

19 members, appointed by President, approved by Federation Council

Judicial Review

Constitutional Court has judicial review but tries not to confront Presidency