asymmetric federalism
when power is divided unevenly between regional bodies
Communist Party of the Russian Federation
successor to the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
Federation Council
upper house of the Russian legislature
glasnost
"openness"; the policy of political liberalization implemented in the Soviet Union in the late 1980s
Just Russia
a small party in the Russian Duma with a social-democratic orientation
nomenklatura
politically sensitive or influential jobs in the state, society, or economy that were staffed by people chosen or approved by the Communist Party
oligarchs
Russian people noted for their control of large amounts of the Russian economy (including the media), their close ties to the government, and the accusations of corruption surrounding their rise to power
perestroika
literally, "restructuring"; the policy of economic liberalization implemented in the Soviet Union in the 1980s
Politiboro
the top policy-making and executive body of a communist party
Shock therapy
a process of rapid marketization
siloviki
"men of power" who have their origins in the security agencies and are close to President Putin
United Russia
main political party in Russia and supporter of Vladimir Putin restoration of Russia as a great power, national pride, economic stability
Yabloko
small party in Russia that advocates democracy and a liberal political-economic system
command economy
government dictates how much is produced and consumed
Boris Yeltsin
first Russian president, initiated shock therapy to try and transition from command to market economy
Putin's positions of power since 2000
2000-2008: President 2008-2012: appointed PM by new president 2012: elected president, then re-elected in 2018 in 2021, constitution is changed to allow Putin to run for re-election in 2024
Mikhail Gorbachev
last leader of the Soviet Union
creation of super-districts
in response to independence movements, Putin appointed super-governors of these districts to oversee regional governments
removal and appointment of governors
changes to constitution that have allowed President to remove governors and for a time indirectly appoint governors (2005-2012)
Federation Council reform
in 2002 Putin had the Constitution reformed to prohibit governors from serving on the Council, instead governors appoint people on it
managed elections
2004, 2008, and 2012 presidental elections have all shown signs of the state being heavily involved in the results
electoral system for State Duma
2005 law change from mixed system to fully PR, but need 7% of the vote helped Putin's party win now mixed electoral system again
president
head of state directly elected in a two-ballot majority system (runoff) six-year terms appoints judges to Constitutional Court and Supreme Court, Federation Council approves appoints super-governors of super-districts
prime minister
head of government appointed by president with approval of Duma propose budget, appoint cabinet, implement government policy
bureaucracy in Russia
many government workers under Communist rule, now a patron-client network
how are State Duma deputies elected
450 deputies elected via mixed system of FPTP and PR, 5 year terms
Duma
lower house of the Russian legislature
State Duma powers
make laws override veto impeach president approve president's appointment of PM and can call for a vote of no confidence against PM amend Constitution behaves like rubber-stamp
how are members of Federation Council elected
appointed, one member is chosen by the reigonal governor and the other by the regional legislature, no fixed terms (based on local elections)
Federation Council powers
vote to approve bills by Duma (if they reject, Duma can override) approve presidental appointees to high courts appprove declaration of war & treaties impeach president amend Constitution
Constitutional Court
highest court 19 members, appointed by president and confirmed by Federation council 12 year terms judicial review on national + regional laws
Supreme Court
high court 115 judges, nominated by president and confirmed by federation council oversee criminal and civil cases
military in Russia
served as a key source of power and legitimacy for the regime of the Soviet Union Putin has increasingly used the Russian military to project Russia's strength abroad
Federal Security Service
manages domestic and foreign intelligence and viewed by many as main political actor in Russia alongside Putin successor to KGB
political efficacy
the sense of an individual citizen that they are capable of effecting desired change in public policy low efficacy in Russia
Liberal-Democrats
neither liberal nor democratic nationalist, anti-western, anti-Semetic, xenophobic
media in Russia
under communism, only propaganda tool today, private media emerges, but since Putin is effectively state-controlled attacks, arrests, office raids, murders, and threats against journalists
civil society in Russia
certain NGOs are banned from forming limited religion, such as banning Jehovah's Witnesses creation of pro-government groups
statism
repeat foreign invasions has developed a culture that deeply values a strong and powerful state that can defend people civil rights and civil liberties less of a concern
examples of political socialization in Russia
media controlled by Putin/state Nashi, pro-government youth organization the government controls textbook content and educational curriculum
social movments in Russia
LGBTQ+ groups have been formed in response to discriminatory laws women's rights groups to improve domestic violence protections
Alexei Navalny
pro-democracy, anti-Putin/corruption
Gazprom
state-run natural gas monopoly world's biggest gas exploration and production company
Rosneft
state-owned Russian oil and gas exploration company
foreign policy in Russia
use of military power and other ways to "restore" Russia as a superpower foreign policy is used as a tool for increasing legitimacy high patriotism and nationalism 2022 invasion of Ukraine has not gone as planned, hurt Putin's legitimacy
2020 Constitutional referendum
yes-or-no vote on a package of 200 amendments to the Constitution
Russia and the environment
social movements to protect environment have had some success Russia is dependent on fossil fuels for its economy, which might limit evironment protection