Russia - Terms to Know

Asymmetrical Federalism

Different regions have varying degrees of autonomy or power.

Autocracy

A system where one leader holds unlimited power.

Bolsheviks

The radical Marxist faction that led the 1917 Russian Revolution.

Boyars

Russian nobility under the Tsars, often influential in politics.

Leonid Brezhnev

Soviet leader (1964-1982) known for stagnation and the Brezhnev Doctrine.

Central Committee

Governing body of the Communist Party, oversaw party decisions.

Central Planning

Economic system where the government controls production and distribution.

Chechnya

Region in southern Russia known for its separatist movements and conflicts.

Civil Society in Russia

Non-governmental organizations and community groups, often restricted by the state.

Collective Farms

Government-owned farms where peasants worked collectively.

Command Economy

Economic system controlled entirely by the state, central planning dominant.

Confederation of Independent States (CIS)

A loose alliance of former Soviet Republics formed after the USSR's collapse.

Constitution of 1993

Established the semi-presidential system in modern Russia.

Constitutional Court

Russia's highest court for constitutional matters.

CPRF – Communist Party of the Russian Federation

Modern successor to the CPSU, advocates for socialism.

CPSU – Communist Party of the Soviet Union

The ruling party of the USSR.

Crimean Annexation

Russia's 2014 takeover of Crimea, leading to international sanctions.

Cultural Heterogeneity in Russia

Russia's diverse ethnic, linguistic, and cultural makeup.

Decrees

Laws issued by the president without legislative approval.

Democratic Centralism

Leninist principle where decisions are made centrally but enforced democratically.

De-Stalinization

Khrushchev's reforms to reduce Stalin's influence and cult of personality.

Duma

Lower house of Russia's parliament.

Dmitry Medvedev

Russian President (2008-2012) and current ally of Vladimir Putin.

Equality of Result

Belief in equal outcomes rather than equal opportunities.

Fatherland-All Russia Party

Political party absorbed into United Russia.

Federal Assembly

Russia's national legislature, comprising the Duma and Federation Council.

Federation Council

Upper house of Russia's parliament.

Five-Year Plans

Stalin's economic plans to industrialize the USSR.

FSB

Russia's Federal Security Service, successor to the KGB.

General Secretary

Leader of the Communist Party and de facto head of the USSR.

Gorbachev’s Three-Pronged Reform Plan

Glasnost, Perestroika, and Democratization aimed at modernizing the USSR.

Gosplan

The state planning agency under Soviet central planning.

Glasnost

Policy of openness and transparency introduced by Gorbachev.

Hybrid Regime

A mix of democratic and authoritarian practices.

KGB

Soviet intelligence and secret police agency.

Komsomol

Communist youth organization.

Kulaks

Wealthier peasants targeted during collectivization.

Vladimir Lenin

Leader of the Bolsheviks and first head of Soviet Russia.

Liberal Democrats

Far-right nationalist party led by Vladimir Zhirinovsky.

Nikita Khrushchev

Soviet leader after Stalin, known for de-Stalinization and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Mafia

Organized crime networks influential in post-Soviet Russia.

Marxism-Leninism

Ideology combining Marx's theories with Lenin's adaptations.

Mensheviks

Moderate faction of Russian Marxists, opposed the Bolsheviks.

Mixed Electoral System – Duma

Combines proportional representation and single-member districts.

Near Abroad

Term for former Soviet republics.

New Economic Policy

Lenin's policy mixing capitalism with socialism.