Competitive authoritarian state	Country where elections are still formally held (some electoral competition) but the outcome is determined by elite rulers. Power is centralized and pluralism limited such that civil rights and ability to oppose the main party's rule is controlled by the state.
Authoritarianism	Broad term used to describe an arrangement where the regime is ruled by a few leaders (and backed by the military); citizens' ability to affect decision-making is limited (often by the domination of a political party approved by the state); and citizens' basic rights and liberties are limited. The economy is still mostly capitalist (though the state may be involved with owning businesses). And, in some cases e.g. Venezuela, the regime holds elections to legitimize elite rule.
Authoritarian Regime	A regime ruled essentially by a few leaders (and backed by the military) who limit the role of the public in decision-making and deny citizens basic rights and liberties. May hold elections to legitimize elite rule.
Illiberal democracy	Country with the formal institutions of democracy—executive, legislative, judicial, and elections--but lacks the rule of law. Leaders bypass the limits provided in a constitution to produce the outcome they want—a party that wins the elections; a state that limits dissent/opposition; and compliance with legislation and court decisions in favor of the leader.
Vanguard party	Idea and theory created by Lenin who argued that single party rule is necessary to provide a "dictatorship of the proletariat" and a necessary means under socialism to direct society toward communism.
Democratic Centralism	An arrangement propounded by V.I. Lenin whereby a communist party provides policy that is then approved by its members. There is no serious room for debate or opposition to the policy.
Autocracy	Rule by one person who has absolute power over society.
Czar (Tsar)	Term used for Russia's emperor-style ruler prior to 1917.
Bolsheviks	Leninist party that came to power in 1917 and advocated for vanguard rule and democratic centralism.
V.I. Lenin	Russian theorist (often called Marxism--Leninism), politician, and leader of the Bolshevik Party who oversaw the creation of the Soviet Union. Carried out the initial stages of the Soviet Union's rapid industrialization.
Command economy	Name for the arrangement of a socialist economy where the decisions about what to produce, where and how as well as the distribution of goods and services are highly centralized and based on 5 year and 10 year plans.
Central Planning	Centralized mechanism to direct a command economy.
Cold War	Roughly 1949--1989 period defined by ideological and geo-political tensions between the US and the USSR. Fear that a cold war would become "hot" with the use of nuclear weapons. Each side argued that the other intended to bring about their ruin. Ended with the "fall of the Berlin Wall" in 1989.
Mikhail Gorbachev	Came to power in 1985 in the Soviet Union and sought to reform the Soviet Union with the hope of making “hard socialism” work. But his reforms—economic, political, social and cultural—unleashed opposition to communist party rule. Reforms included Glasnost "opening" and "transparency" (political-cultural), and Perestroika (economic restructuring)
Boris Yeltsin	Communist Party member who became president of Russia in 1991 and held that position until 1999 when he resigned due to health reasons. He spearheaded the creation of a liberal democracy (constitution, elections, separate executive, legislative, and judicial institutions) and radical economic reform known as "shock therapy."
Shock Therapy	Radical economic reform policy under Yeltsin that was inspired by western advisors ("Chicago Boys") to quickly transform the previous command economy by dismantling central planning, freeing up prices, privatizing land, labor and capital (this was controlled by the state before). The results were disastrous for the economy with spiraling inflation, declining GDP, and lost savings for Russian citizens.
Oligarchs	Newly created businessmen during shock therapy that bought businesses, especially in the energy sector, and amassed fortunes. They engaged in corruption and used their wealth to influence the courts and avoid taxes. When Putin became president he attacked the oligarchs (at least the ones he opposed) by taking their wealth through various means.
Vladimir Putin	Was Yeltsin's prime minister and became president when Yeltsin resigned. Was president from 2000-2008, then prime minister, and then president again from 2012 onward. Has reduced the extent of democracy in Russia by ignoring the rule of law; influencing the United Russia Party to win elections and support his policies; revising the constitution; promoting nationalism and a return to tradition. Has created a "cult of personality" through media means and promoted recreating the Russian empire.
Bicameral	Legislature divided into two houses, often the "upper" and "lower". Russia's lower house is called the Duma and upper house the Federation Council.
Asymmetric Federalism	Term applied to Russia where its administrative units--provinces, oblasts, etc.--have unequal power relative to the state and between themselves (some more powerful than others).
Semi-presidential	Political system where the president is elected and a prime minister approved by the legislature. In theory (and in constitutions depending on the country) the two positions share power. But in reality the president is the stronger office. In Russia's semi-presidential system, the president's powers are much greater than those of the prime minister AND the president selects the prime minister.
Duma	Lower house of Russia's legislature and the more powerful. Has the authority to initiate and approve legislation. It can override a president's veto by a 2/3 vote. It also approves the selection of the prime minister. The Duma can call for a "vote of no confidence," a measure common in parliaments, but the president has the authority to override it. Currently the Duma is dominated by members of the United Russia party (see the section in "Electoral Systems and Parties").
Federation Council	The Federation Council (FC) consists of 178 seats composed of two representatives from each (89) administrative units, one representing the legislative authority of the unit and another the executive of the unit (like a governor). The provincial legislature chooses one "senator." The other is nominated by the unit's governor and then confirmed by the unit's legislature (which is directly elected). In addition, the president can appoint up to 30 additional representatives to the FC.
Second-round voting	In Russia's presidential elections, should a candidate not receive a majority (50%) of votes then there is a runoff between the two top candidates. This happened in 1996 when Yeltsin defeated Zyuganov, the leader of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, in second-round voting by 54.4%.
Mixed (electoral) System	Russia uses two types of elector systems to elect members to the Duma: Single Member District Plurality (SMDP and also called "first-past-the-post") AND proportional representation (PR). 225 members are elected by SMDP, the other 225 by PR. Parties are responsible for determining who should run in the PR system.
Parties of Power	Term used to describe Russia's political parties because they lack an ideology and form around individuals with political aspirations (power).
United Russia	Currently the dominant political party in Russia. Formed in 2001 out of party mergers. Has won majorities since then, including supermajorities recently. The party lacks a clear ideology. Claims to stand for: stability, economic development, the restoration of Russia as a “great power,” and defender of traditional values (read anti-LGBTQ rights).
CPRF	Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF). Has existed since the fall of the Soviet Union. Early on had popular support due to the negative repercussions of shock therapy policies. Continues to be a "competitive" party in the election process. It continues to reject capitalism and westernization and calls for the return of Stalinist ideals—single party rule, state-run economy, permanent employment, limited inequality.
Invalid/black votes	A protest strategy used to indicate opposition to political system, especially Putin and the ruling United Russia Party. Promoted by Alexei Navalny.
Alexie Navalny	Politician and opposition leader of Putin and the Russian political system. Tried to run for president but was prevented from doing so. Arrested by the Russian government, imprisoned, and died there.
"Key performance indicators"	A business-type tactic used by pro-Putin, pro-United Russia strategists to set expected targets of voter turnout for presidential and Duma elections; mobilize businesses and their workers to vote no matter what (for "civic duty") for Putin/United Russia.
"Foreign agents"	A label used by the Russian government under Putin to brand opposition and dismantle their impact, sometimes through arrest and imprisonment. Especially true for any organization receiving foreign support
State capitalism	Full or partial ownership of businesses in oil/gas, banks, even food retailing, by the state. Tends to breed corruption with officials of the government and businesses and inefficiency (reduces competition and innovation in the market).
Privatization	Policy initiated by Yeltsin to create a market economy from the previous command economy by making land, labor and capital (investment) privately owned. Created the environment for oligarchs to buy up and take over businesses and even industries.
Siloviki	A new economic elite of "strongmen" in the state security apparatus, police, and military, used by Putin to keep society "in line" and who get rich by their connections with businesses.
Resource curse	Term used to describe a country's economy where natural resources are a major part of the economy and owned by the state, crowding out other kinds of economic development and creating a class of people who live off the wealth of those resources. The economy is dependent on selling those resources abroad.
Sanctions	A penalty on a country for breaking international law and/or acting aggressively). Can include bans and embargoes on financial institutions, industries, and individuals.
"Gay propaganda law"	Forbids information about LGBT to any young person, limits educational and medical information to LGBT youth, and stigmatizes anyone in the LGBT community.
NATO	North Atlantic Treaty Organization, formed in 1949 to provide collective security to its members and a basis for political dialog. Members are required to commit a percent of their GDP to defense spending and contribute troops and equipment to members in time of need. Members must have a functioning democratic system and agree to peacefully resolve conflicts if possible.
Annexation	The seizure or takeover of territory by force or without permission.
"No limits"	Putin's phrase to characterize the extent of the relationship between Russia and China.

Understanding Authoritarianism and Political Structures in Russia