AP Comparative Government & Politics - Russia

Vocabulary flashcards for review.

Statism

A political culture in Russia that deeply values a strong and powerful state that can defend the people from troubles.

Equality of Result

The idea that the state should step in to care for people in times of need and solve the problem of inequality.

East vs. West (Slavophile vs. Westernizer)

A constant internal struggle over whether to model themselves after progressive European traditions, values and practices, or to remain true to their own distinctly Eastern ways.

Kulaks

Russian term for wealthy peasant landowners who had their property seized under state control.

Collectivization

A program to seize property under state control.

Nomenklatura

A practice in which higher ranking leaders would identify promising lower-level members for promotion.

Politburo

The executive leaders of government agencies and departments.

Cold War

Hostility between Russia and the West after their cooperation in World War II.

Glasnost

Openness of the sharing and discussion of information as a limited form of free speech.

Perestroika

A program of limited market reform to try and bring modern economic practices to Russia.

Asymmetric Federalism

System in which some regional governments have more local autonomy over policymaking power than others.

Shock Therapy

A program to radically transform Russia into a market economy as rapidly as possible.

Oligarchs

Super-wealthy individuals who gained control of valuable state-owned industries through corruption and insider ties during Russia's privatization.

Siloviki

A Russian term for people who worked in the security services.

Managed Elections

Elections that have signs of the state heavily influencing the outcome.

Dominant Party System

A situation where United Russia acts as a party of power, existing not to implement a particular ideological agenda, but rather to secure and maintain power for its members.

Illiberal Democracy

Like liberal democracies, illiberal regimes hold elections, and the votes are counted accurately, with the winning candidates duly taking office and exercising political power. What makes them illiberal is everything leading up to election day. Significant restrictions exist on whether candidates are able to freely compete for office or not.