Comp Gov Communism, Russia, China

A Just Russia

A small social-democratic political party in the Russian Duma. It generally supports the Kremlin but promotes more social justice-oriented policies.

asymmetric federalism

refers to a system in which power is devolved unequally to different regions, often through individual agreements with the central government.

base

in Marxist theory, refers to the economic system of society, including relations between classes and the means of production.

Beijing consensus

refers to China’s model of economic development, which emphasizes state-led capitalism (i.e., the government controls or heavily influences key industries), innovation, and long-term planning, without necessarily becoming a democracy.

It’s often seen as an alternative to the Western "Washington Consensus," which promotes free markets, privatization, and limited government.

bourgeoisie

is the capitalist class that owns the means of production and, according to Marx, exploits the working class.

Central Committee

is the body of the Communist Party that elects the Politburo and oversees party affairs between congresses.

Central Planning

is an economic system in which government agencies decide what should be produced, in what quantity, and at what price.

Chechnya

is a Russian republic that has experienced violent separatist movements and wars since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Cheka

was Lenin’s Soviet secret police and the forerunner to the KGB.

Chinese Communist Party (CCP)

is the authoritarian ruling party of China since 1949, overseeing the state, economy, and military.

Chinese Dream

is Xi Jinping’s vision for China’s national rejuvenation, modernization, and prosperity.

Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

is a loose alliance of former Soviet republics formed after the USSR's dissolution.

Communism

is a political and economic ideology advocating for a classless society and the abolition of private property.

Communist Part of the Russian Federation (CPRF)

is the main successor to the Soviet Communist Party and remains a significant opposition party in Russia.

Confucianism

is a philosophy focused on social harmony, hierarchy, and duty, traditionally influential in Chinese society.

Constitutional Court

is the highest judicial body in Russia, responsible for interpreting the constitution.

Cultural Revolution

was Mao Zedong’s 1966–76 movement to eliminate political rivals and ideological enemies, causing widespread social upheaval.

danwei (work unit) system

was a Maoist-era institution that controlled nearly all aspects of a person’s life through workplace affiliation.

Deng, Xiaoping

was China’s paramount leader from 1978 to 1997, known for launching economic reforms and opening China to global markets.

dialectical materialism

is the Marxist theory that political and historical events result from the conflict of social forces driven by material needs.

Duma

is the lower house of Russia’s legislature, responsible for passing laws and approving the prime minister.

Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)

is a political and economic union of former Soviet states aimed at regional integration.

Falun Gong

is a spiritual movement combining meditation and moral teachings, banned in China as a threat to state control.

Federal Security Service (FSB)

is Russia’s main domestic intelligence agency and successor to the KGB.

Federation Council

is the upper house of the Russian legislature, representing Russia’s federal regions.

Floating population

refers to China’s 150 million+ internal migrants seeking work in cities without urban residency rights.

glasnost

means “openness” and refers to Gorbachev’s policy of increased transparency and freedom of expression in the late 1980s.

Great Leap Forward

was Mao’s failed 1958–60 campaign to rapidly industrialize China, which led to widespread famine.

harmonious society

is a CCP term promoting economic reform with greater social stability and reduced inequality.

household responsibility system

was a reform in the 1980s allowing Chinese farmers to sell surplus crops, boosting agricultural productivity.

hukou (household registration) system

is a Mao-era system that ties citizens to their place of birth and limits migration.

Hundred Flowers Campaign

(1956–57) was a brief period during which Mao encouraged public criticism, only to repress those who spoke out.

Insider privatization

refers to the post-Soviet process where state-owned firms were transferred to former managers and elites.

iron rice bowl

describes guaranteed state-provided jobs, healthcare, and pensions under Maoist China, which largely ended with reforms.

KGB

was the Soviet Union’s main intelligence and secret police agency during the Cold War.

Kremlin

is the historic fortress in Moscow and the seat of executive power in Russia.

Kuomintang (KMT)

is the Chinese Nationalist Party that fled to Taiwan after being defeated by the Communists in 1949.

Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR)

is a nationalist, far-right political party in Russia known for its inflammatory rhetoric.

Long March

was the CCP’s 6,000-mile retreat during the Chinese Civil War, which solidified Mao’s leadership.

Mao Zedong

was the founding leader of Communist China, ruling from 1949 until his death in 1976.

National Party Congress

is the CCP’s infrequent but large formal gathering to endorse leadership and policy.

nomenklatura

is a system in which party-approved individuals were placed in key political, social, or economic positions.

one country, two systems

describes China’s policy of allowing Hong Kong some autonomy after British handover in 1997.

party-state

refers to a political system where the Communist Party dominates both the state and society.

perestroika

means “restructuring” and was Gorbachev’s policy to decentralize and reform the Soviet economy.

People’s Liberation Army (PLA)

is China’s military, which is loyal to the CCP and plays a major political role.

Politburo

is the top decision-making body of a Communist Party.

Populists

are a CCP faction advocating more support for China’s poor and working class, often at the expense of market reform.

Red Guard

were radicalized youth mobilized by Mao during the Cultural Revolution to attack perceived enemies of socialism.

red capitalists

are private entrepreneurs in China who are also loyal members of the Communist Party.

reds versus experts

was Mao’s policy that prioritized political loyalty over technical expertise.

reform and opening

refers to the economic liberalization policies introduced by Deng Xiaoping starting in the late 1970s.

shock therapy

is the rapid transition from a state-planned to a market economy, used in post-Soviet Russia.

siloviki

are powerful men from Russia’s security services with close ties to Putin and significant influence in politics.

Special economic zones

are regions in China where foreign investment and capitalist practices are encouraged.

superstructure

in Marxist theory, includes politics, religion, and culture, which are shaped by the economic base.

three represents

is Jiang Zemin’s policy that expanded the CCP to include private entrepreneurs and other new elites.

united russia

is the dominant political party in Russia and a key supporter of Vladimir Putin.

vanguard of the proletariat

is the concept that a small, elite party should lead the working class toward revolution.

Yabloko

is a small liberal party in Russia that advocates democracy and a market economy.

Boris Yeltsin

the first president of post-soviet Russia, serving from 1991 to 1999