Comparative Politics Test 2: Russia

Communist Party System

A one-party political system in Russia led by the Communist Party before 1991.

Party Congress

The key institution that set the agenda for the government, led by the General Secretary and Politburo.

Supreme Soviet

A legislative body responsible for electing the president and council of ministers, represented solely by Communist Party members.

Democratic Centralism

A principle where the Communist Party maintained centralized power while pretending to allow democratic discussions.

Gorbachev's Reforms

A series of reforms from 1985 to 1991 that challenged Communist Party control, including the creation of the Congress of People's Deputies.

Congress of People’s Deputies (CPD)

A legislative body created by Gorbachev to increase representation and challenge Communist Party dominance.

Directly elected presidency

An electoral process established for the presidency for the first time in Russia, leading to Yeltsin's election.

Presidential Elections frequency post-1991

Presidential elections are held every 6 years since 2012, previously every 4 years.

Voting process in presidential elections

A candidate must win over 50% of the vote; if this does not happen, a second round of voting is required.

Historical President: Boris Yeltsin

The first president of Russia, serving from 1991 to 1999.

United Russia (UR)

Political party formed in 2001 to support Vladimir Putin, dominating both the Duma and the Federation Council.

Ideology of United Russia

A vague platform supporting stability, economic growth, traditional values, and Russian nationalism.

Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF)

The successor to the Soviet Communist Party, now primarily anti-capitalist and pro-state economy.

A Just Russia—For Truth (AJR)

A social-democratic party formed in 2006, focused on justice and inequality reduction, but now nominally opposes the Kremlin.

Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR)

Founded by Vladimir Zhirinovsky, known for nationalist and anti-Western positions, advocating for a Soviet Union reconstitution.

2021 Duma Election

Elections where United Russia won 72% of the seats amid allegations of fraud and intimidation.

Navalny’s “Smart Voting” tactic

An election strategy blocked in 2021, aimed at consolidating opposition votes against United Russia.

Putin's 2024 Presidential Election win

Putin was re-elected in 2024 with 88% of the vote, amid claims of unfair opposition restrictions.

Allegations during 2024 election

International observers criticized the election as neither free nor fair due to limited opposition.

Opposition restriction characteristics

Key opposition figures were disqualified or prevented from running, notably Alexei Navalny due to imprisonment.

Election turnout for 2021 Duma Election

Just over 50% of eligible voters participated in the elections.

Political manipulation accusations

Accusations against United Russia of election manipulation, media control, and suppression of opposition voices.

Threshold for Duma elections

A party must gain at least 5% of the vote to win any proportional representation seats.

Federation Council

The upper house of the parliament in Russia, consisting of non-elected representatives appointed by regional officials.

Election System for Duma

A mixed electoral system where half of the seats are elected by Single-Member District Plurality and half by Proportional Representation.

Opposition media status

Independent media outlets labeled as 'foreign agents', limiting their ability to operate critically.

Putin's voter turnout strategy

Efforts to ensure high voter turnout often through intimidation of state employees.

Competitive Authoritarian State

A political system where elections are held but outcomes are controlled by elite rulers, limiting pluralism and civil rights.

Authoritarianism

A regime type characterized by rule by a few leaders with limited public participation and basic citizen rights; economies may still be capitalist.

Authoritarian Regime

A governing system led by a small group of leaders, often supported by the military, restricting public decision-making and basic rights.

Illiberal Democracy

A form of democracy lacking the rule of law where leaders manipulate institutions and limit dissent to maintain power.

Vanguard Party

A political theory by Lenin that advocates for a single party's rule to ensure a 'dictatorship of the proletariat' guiding society toward communism.

Democratic Centralism

An approach where a communist party sets policies that are binding on its members, leaving little room for debate.

Autocracy

A system of government where one individual wields absolute power over the state.

Czar (Tsar)

Title for the emperors of Russia before 1917, denoting absolute monarchy.

Bolsheviks

The revolutionary party led by Lenin that established the Soviet regime in 1917, promoting vanguard rule and centralization.

V.I. Lenin

Founder of the Soviet Union and leader of the Bolshevik Party, known for implementing rapid industrialization and his theory of Marxism-Leninism.

Command Economy

An economic system in which decisions on production and distribution are centrally planned by the government.

Central Planning

A method used to direct and manage a command economy through the establishment of long-term production plans.

Cold War

A geopolitical conflict between the US and USSR from 1949 to 1989, characterized by ideological rivalry and the threat of nuclear war.

Mikhail Gorbachev

Soviet leader known for his reforms that included 'Glasnost' and 'Perestroika', which ultimately led to increased opposition to Communist rule.

Boris Yeltsin

The first president of Russia who implemented significant political and economic reforms after the Soviet Union's collapse.

Shock Therapy

A drastic approach to economic reform during Yeltsin's presidency aimed at rapidly transitioning from a command to a market economy, often leading to turmoil.

Oligarchs

Business elites who emerged during Yeltsin's reforms, gaining wealth and power, often through corrupt practices.

Vladimir Putin

Current president of Russia, previously prime minister, known for consolidating power and reducing democratic freedoms.

Bicameral

A term describing a legislature with two chambers, such as Russia's Duma and Federation Council.

Asymmetric Federalism

A system where regional units have unequal powers in relation to the federal government and each other.

Semi-presidential

A political system where a president is elected alongside a prime minister, though the president usually holds more power.

Duma

The lower house of the Russian legislature, which has significant legislative powers, including approving the prime minister.

Federation Council

The upper chamber of the Russian parliament, composed of representatives from regional governments.

Second-round Voting

A runoff election process in Russia requiring a majority win; if no candidate achieves this, the top candidates face each other.

Mixed (Electoral) System

An electoral method combining single-member district voting with proportional representation in Russia's Duma elections.

Parties of Power

Political factions in Russia characterized by their lack of ideology and focus on personal ambitions for political leverage.

Invalid/Black Votes

A protest tactic indicating opposition to the ruling political system, particularly against Putin and United Russia.

Alexei Navalny

Prominent opposition leader who faced imprisonment and political repression under Putin's regime.

Key Performance Indicators

Metrics set by pro-Putin strategists to ensure voter mobilization and turnout for elections.

Foreign Agents

A designation by the Russian government aimed at labeling opposition groups and restricting their operations, especially those receiving foreign funding.

State Capitalism

An economic model where the government has ownership of key sectors, leading to potential corruption and reduced market efficiency.

Privatization

The transfer of state-owned assets to private ownership aimed at creating a market economy, initiated under Yeltsin.

Siloviki

A term for individuals in power structures like the military and security services who align with Putin and often gain financial benefits.

Resource Curse

A phenomenon where a nation’s wealth in natural resources hampers economic growth due to overreliance and inequality.

Sanctions

Economic penalties imposed on countries to deter aggression or violations of international norms.

Gay Propaganda Law

Legislation restricting the dissemination of LGBT-related information, aimed at younger audiences in Russia.

NATO

A military alliance formed in 1949 to ensure collective defense among member countries.

Annexation

The forceful acquisition of territory without consent.

No Limits

A phrase reflecting the close ties and unrestricted partnership between Russia and China.