AP COMP GOV UNIT 3: RUSSIA

What was the significance of the Soviet Union?

The first communist state, empowering the working class, and perceived as a threat to democracy/capitalism, leading to the Cold War.

Who was Mikhail Gorbachev?

The last General Secretary of the Soviet Union Communist Party, known for Glasnost (political openness) and Perestroika (economic restructuring).

Who is Vladimir Putin?

The current president of Russia (1998-2008, 2012-Now), and former prime minister (2008-2012).

How large is Russia?

4x the size of the USA, covering 11 time zones, with a population of 144 million people.

Describe the geographic features of Russia.

Siberia is mostly uninhabited, the climate is bitter cold with many neighbors and few natural barriers with plentiful natural resources.

What was the significance of the Mongol invasion in Russia?

Economic destruction, massacre, enslavement, urban depopulation, extraction of resources, and intellectual/economic isolation from Europe.

What was the Tsar?

Russian Emperor before the Soviet Union was established.

Who was Ivan the Terrible?

Tsar known for brutality and authority, and creating the first police force to exert his power.

Who was Peter the Great?

Tsar known for the goal of Westernization.

What were some factors that led to the Russian Revolution?

Disjunction/cleavages, loss of the Russo-Japanese War, working-class protests, the Revolution of 1905, and the cost of WWI.

What was the Cheka?

Soviet secret police force created by Vladimir Lenin.

What was the KGB?

Predecessor to the FSB, Soviet secret intelligence/police with domestic and foreign power for surveillance.

Who was Vladimir Lenin?

First leader of the Soviet Union.

What was the official name of Russia after the revolution?

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).

Who was Joseph Stalin?

Brutal leader of the USSR following Lenin’s death, established a totalitarian regime, centralized power, collectivized agriculture and caused famine, had a huge cult of personality.

What was the Politburo?

Top policy-making executive body of the Communist Party (during the Soviet Union).

Who was Boris Yeltsin?

First president of Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union 1991-1999, Appointed Putin as prime minister, who became eventual successor.

Who was Mikhail Khodorkovsky?

Oligarch in charge of oil under Yeltsin, later jailed and replaced by Putin's people (siloviki).

Who was Alexei Navalny?

Journalist who tried to expose corruption, became a politician, opposition leader to Putin, and died in jail.

What is the Caucasus?

SW Russia near Black Sea and Turkey, where there is a diverse mixture of non-Slavic people with distinct language, customs, and religious faith, predominantly Muslim.

What is Chechnya?

Became part of Russia in 1991, many want independence, de facto independent country; experienced two Russian invasions (1999-2000); leader: Ramzan Kadyrov.

Who was Dimitri Medvedev?

President of Russia, nominated Putin to be Prime Minister.

What division of power does Russia have?

Federal.

Describe Asymmetric Federalism.

Federal system where constituent states possess different powers.

What makes up the 85 federal subjects?

46 Oblasts (states), 22 Republics (including Crimea), 9 Krais (territories), 4 Autonomous Okrug (autonomous districts), 2 Federal cities (3 including Sevastopol), Jewish autonomous oblast.

What executive system does Russia have?

Semi-Presidential: President = Head of State, Prime Minister = Head of Government.

What is Russian executive power known as?

The Kremlin = Fortress at the heart of Moscow, seat of Russian state power.

What are the powers of the President?

Oversees foreign ministry, defense ministry, interior ministry (FSB); can pass/veto bills, submit legislation, issue decrees, appoint leaders to the 8 federal districts, appoint Prime Minister, and appoint judges to Constitutional courts.

What is the FSB?

Federal Security Service, successor to the KGB, Russian police force loyal to Putin.

What is a decree?

A law that the President can pass without the need for legislative approval, not public, cannot be challenged in Court.

What are the limitations of the President?

6-year terms (previously 4 years, changed by Putin), can only serve 2 terms, impeachment possibility.

Why is it so difficult to impeach the president?

Only if high treason or grave crime, must be approved by high court, must have ⅔ support in both houses.

What are the powers of the Prime Minister?

In charge of all other ministries; responsible for tax, budget, and social policy.

What is one difference between Russian and British Prime Ministers?

Russian Prime Ministers don’t represent the majority party.

How many houses does the Russian legislature have?

2 houses (bicameral legislature) = Federal Assembly (Lower House = State Duma; Upper House = Federation Council).

How many seats are in the State Duma?

450.

What is the electoral system for the State Duma?

Mixed: ½ Proportional, ½ SMD.

What are the powers of the State Duma?

5-year terms; right to initiate/accept/reject legislation; override president veto with ⅔ vote; approves appointment of PM; Vote of no Confidence.

How many seats are in the Federation Council?

170.

What is the electoral system for the Federation Council?

1 representative appointed by governor, one representative chosen by regional legislature.

What are the powers of the Federation Council?

Reject legislation (rare, Duma can override with ⅔ vote); theoretic ability to impeach president, approve/reject constitutional court appointments, declarations of war, martial law, international treaties; actually controls budget.

What are the primary constitutional powers in Russia?

Supreme Court (highest appeals court) and Constitutional Court (highest court, judicial review).

What is Abstract Review?

Ability to rule on constitutional issues without a case.

How many times has the Duma structure changed since 2017?

3.

What is Russia’s current electoral system?

Mixed.

How is the President chosen?

Direct election.

What must independent candidates do in order to run for president?

Must gain 2 Million signatures in support.

What is one effect of Russia’s electoral system?

Eliminates independents and smaller parties.

How are smaller parties excluded?

Minimum 5% threshold to have seats in the Duma.

What is Russia’s regime?

Authoritarian or Illiberal democracy (Competitive Authoritarian: Holds elections, little fairness, transparency, and protection of liberties).

What was Boris Yeltsin’s impact on the Russian constitution?

Yeltsin and Parliament conflict → Yeltsin dissolved Parliament → New constitution emphasizes presidential power; president can make economic/political changes despite parliamentary opposition.

How did Putin reduce regional power?

Creation of federal districts each headed by presidential appointees; Regional bodies directly elected but nominated by Kremlin.

What is a Rentier State?

A state that obtains a significant percentage of their income from leasing access to natural resources (oil, natural gas).

What is the effect of Russia being a rentier state?

Putin has centralized control over resources to a few companies → wealth concentration; Government is not obligated to its people, underdevelopment of other aspects of economy and reliant on the World Economy.

Describe the relevance of shock therapy.

Rapid change from command to market economy (Boris Yeltsin) leading to inflation and unemployment.

What followed privatization?

Renationalization under Putin, little transparency, Oligarchs → Siloviki.

What are the key tenets of Russian political culture?

Authority, Statism, Collectivism, Stability > Freedom, and Nationalism.

What is personalistic authority?

Power lies in the hands of a single individual.

How does Russia’s history of personalistic authority influence their political culture?

Many overbearing authority figures in the past established a normalized expectation for political leaders (Tsar → communist dictators → president).

In what ways does Russia emphasize statism and collectivism?

Government control is normalized, people expect a lot from the country, Russians prioritize community and stability over individuality and freedom.

How does nationalism influence political culture?

Creates a collective identity and bolsters conflict between minority ethnic groups that don’t fit the nationalist identity.

Describe the media culture in Russia.

Heavy censorship, government control, mostly pro-Putin, 162/180 for press freedom, TV is the primary source of information for most citizens.

How is the media used in Russia?

Used to suppress minor parties and promote Putin, spreads misinformation/twists the narrative.

What is propaganda?

Information of a biased/misleading nature used to promote/publicize a particular cause or point of view.

What is Cult of Personality?

Portraying leaders in a certain way to gain support/favor.

What party system does Russia use?

Dominant party system = One major party with a few smaller opposition parties.

What makes Russia’s political parties unique?

No clear ideologies, more about candidates than tenets.

What are the major parties and their leanings?

United Russia (Putin), Communist Party, A Just Russia, Liberal Democratic Party (nationalist), and Yabloko (liberal).

Define parties of power.

Russian parties created by political elite to support their political aspirations, typically without ideological orientation.

What was Boris Yeltsin’s party?

Our Home is Russia Party.

How was United Russia formed?

Fatherland-All Russia (PM Yevgeny Primakov + Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkow) + Unity (Putin).

What form of civil society does Russia have?

Corporatist, government decides who can participate, strict rules: tax codes harassment, registration, etc.,, groups in support of Putin.

How strong is Russian civil society?

Not strong, mostly groups that are supporters of Putin.

What is a prominent form of political socialization?

Youth groups: Nashi, Young Guard'.

What is the primary religion in Russia?

Orthodox Christianity.

How did Putin reduce civil society?

Tax code (investigate foreign funding), Registration with authorities, police harassment and arrest, required NGOs to be government approved, restricted foreign income, subject to inspection.

Describe the relationship between Russia and the West.

Lots of tensions, propaganda, and misinformation campaigns.

What was the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)?

Regional intergovernmental organization in Eurasia formed following the dissolution of the Soviet created by former Soviet states.

What was the Eurasian Economic Union?

Economic union of five post-Soviet states located in Eurasia (Kazakhstan, Belarus).

What are the major cleavages of Russian society?

Ethnic Russians (80%) vs. everyone else, Orthodox Christians vs. everyone else, political dissent and social movements, rural vs. urban, wealth, and Weak middle class.

What is the significance of separatist movements in Russia?

As many as 26 separatist movements, Chechen region most volatile, and flight of the middle class (Brain Drain).

What are some problems that Russia struggles with?

Corruption/lack of transparency, cleavages, low freedom, sanctions, wars, and social issues.

What is the difference between the three major corrupted powers in Russia?

Nomenklatura, Oligarchs, and Siloviki.

What is Patronalism/Clientelism/Patron-Clientelism?

People make political and economic choices in hopes of pleasing a person in power and getting rewards like appointments.

What are some social issues in Russia?

Low fertility rates and Alcoholism.