The Russian Federation

authoritarian regime

A political system characterized by the rejection of political plurality, strong central power to preserve the political status quo, and reductions of democracy, separation of powers, civil liberties, and the rule of law.

USSR

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, created by Lenin after the assassination of the tsar, establishing a single-party dictatorship.

State Duma

The directly elected lower house of the Russian parliament, representing the people, able to pass laws, confirm the prime minister, and initiate impeachment proceedings.

Federal Assembly

The combined legislative body consisting of both the Duma and the Federation Council in Russia.

asymmetric federalism

A system where some regions have more formal power and autonomy than others.

democratization

The transition from an authoritarian regime to a more democratic political system.

dual executive

A political system that features both a president and a prime minister.

Constitutional Court

The court that verifies laws against the 1993 constitution and rules on whether certain acts are constitutional.

tandemocracy

A political arrangement where two leaders, typically a president and a prime minister, swap roles.

Russian Orthodox Church

A major religious institution in Russia, which revived after the Soviet Union and is seen as a legitimacy factor for Putin.

Crimea

A peninsula that was annexed by Russia but is internationally recognized as Ukrainian territory.

nomenklatura

A list of trusted individuals loyal to Putin who are promoted to important positions.

illiberal democracy

A form of government that holds elections but lacks the fundamental freedoms and fairness typically associated with liberal democracy.

mixed economy

An economic system that combines private and public enterprise.

Shock Therapy

A rapid transition to a market economy initiated by Yeltsin in the 1990s, resulting in immense inequality.

Glasnost

A policy introduced by Gorbachev allowing for more political openness and freedom of the press.

collectivization

The policy of consolidating individual landholdings and labor into collective farms, implemented under Stalin.

proportional representation (PR) model

An electoral system where parties gain seats in the Duma in proportion to the number of votes they receive.

Public Chamber

A civic chamber in Russia comprised of members who analyze draft legislative proposals.

rentier state

A state that derives a significant portion of its revenue from the rent of its natural resources, such as oil and gas.

super districts

Centralized districts created by Putin to exercise direct control over regional leaders and streamline governance.

siloviki

Former military officials and KGB officers who hold influential positions in government and industry, trusted by Putin.

Crimea invasion support

Popular support among Russians for Putin's actions regarding the annexation of Crimea.

Chechnya conflict

A series of conflicts between Russia and the Chechen Republic, stemming from Chechen demands for independence.

nationalism

A political ideology that places emphasis on promoting one's nation as superior or exceptional.

State Council

An advisory body chosen by Putin to coordinate governmental operations.

People to Know: Vladimir Putin

The current leader of Russia, in power since 1999, exhibiting steadily increasing authoritarianism.

People to Know: Mikhail Gorbachev

A reformer who oversaw the dissolution of the Soviet Union and implemented policies like glasnost and perestroika.

People to Know: Boris Yeltsin

The first elected leader of Russia who enacted the 1993 constitution.

Federation Council

higher chamber in parliament, approves judges nominated by putin

State Council

advisory body that putin chooses and they coordinate how the country is run

federal republic

indirect democracy, people choose representatives to make decisions on their behalf

oblasts

a region, equivalent to an American state

Federation Council

higher chamber in parliament, approves judges nominated by putin

code law

collection of all the laws in force, including the enacted laws and case law, covering a complete legal system or specific area

Supreme Court

the highest court and last resort in russian administrative law

Leonid Brezhnev

last of old style leaders, wanted status quo

Dmitri Medvedev

putin’s bff, always #2 fiddle

multinational state

state that contains two or more national groups, where no single group is dominant demographically, culturally, and politically

Chechen

kisti and durdzuks are a northeast caucasian ethnic group of the nakh peoples native to the north caucasus, sunni muslims

Tartars

ethnic muslims in Russia, want to break away from Russia

Ukraine

second largest country in europe and seperated from russia in 1991 but is being invaded currently

rural

farmland, really poor, most being sent to fight, stealing washing machines and air conditioners

urban

city, Moscow, most people live here

Roskomnadzor

Russia’s internet censoring system, makes sure media pormotes putin

RT

Russia Today, official propaganda organization of the government

Echo Russia

last free radio station in Russia where you can get real news, now shut down

siloviki

ex military officials & ex-KGB officers that run government offices and major oil companies, guys that Putin trusts

patrion-clientelism

A political system where goods and services are exchanged for political support, characterized by personal relationships between patrons (those in power) and clients (those who receive benefits).

statism

the people’s belief that you need a strong central government to run things, russian’s believe you’re only safe tpgether

two-ballot format

one election to get 51%, if nobody gets 51% then run off election

United Russia

Putin’s party

dominant party system

1 party system, other parties are just for show, just United Russia

Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRK)

communist party from USSR, still gets 15-20% of votes, wants to go back to Soviet Union times

Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR)

ultranationalist and right-wing populist political party in Russia

Yabloko

the only true liberal democratic party in Russia, almost extinct veryeon arrested

A Just Russia (Fair Russia)

Putin created opposition patty there just to make up numbers

Corporatism

control of a state or organization by large interest groups

Nashi

Russian youth org that Putin created to garner support

municipal filter

legal mechanism that requires candidates running for regional governenr positions to secure endorsements from a certain percentage of municipal deputies

Slavophile

one of two demographics, traditional

Westernizer

one of two demographics, wants to westernize

command economy

old USSR under Stalin, the government tells the industry what to make

Five Year Plans

industrial target, Stalin in 1928 wants to industrialize the world so you have 5 years to produce this much everything, everyone is working in factories

Perestroika

economic restructuring by gorbachev

state-owned enterprises (SOEs)

when the state owns the banks, oil companies, cement makers, and can employ lots of people, highly inefficient

demokratizatsiya

you have to be a communist member but there should be a vote for everything

loan for shares scandal

during Yeltsin, when he privatized every industry and normal people would buy shares but all the insiders bought everything