Waples/Comparative Government and Politics 1e - Ch 7

Asymmetrical federalism

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

Duma

The directly elected lower house of the Russian parliament that represents the people and has the power to pass laws, confirm the prime minister, and begin impeachment proceedings against the president.

Federation Council

The appointed upper house of the Russian parliament that represents the regions and has the power to initiate, review, and amend legislation, approve troop deployments, and remove the president.

Rentier state

A state that relies on the export of oil or from the leasing of resources to foreign entities as a significant source of government revenue.

Resource curse

A problem faced by countries that have a valuable and abundant natural resource, which limits diversification of the economy, makes government revenue dependent on the world market, increases opportunities for corruption, and lessens the government’s responsiveness to citizens.