Asymmetrical Federalism
Different regions have varying degrees of autonomy or power. Example: Chechnya has more independence than other Russian regions.
Autocracy
A system where one leader holds unlimited power. Example: Tsars in pre-revolutionary Russia.
Bolsheviks
The radical Marxist faction that led the 1917 Russian Revolution. Led by Vladimir Lenin.
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.
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