Non-Democratic country - Russia

Introduction

Russia as a non-democratic country as of 2025 Focus on the legal system, structures, processes, history, and ideology

Definition of a Non-Democratic Political System

• Concentration of political power in a single individual, elite group, or party

• Citizens lack meaningful participation in governance

• Absence of free and fair elections, suppression of political freedoms, violations of civil liberties and human rights

• Definition according to the Cambridge Dictionary states that leaders are not elected or not elected fairly

Types of Non-Democratic Governments in 2024

1. Authoritarian Regimes

   • Most common form of non-democratic government

   • Focused on maintaining power with limited ideological control

   • Examples: Iran, Saudi Arabia

   • Power concentrated in a single leader or small elite, disregarding public will

2. Totalitarian Regimes

   • More extreme than authoritarian regimes

   • Aims for complete control over society, driven by official ideology

   • Coined by Benito Mussolini to describe fascist Italy

3. Military Regimes

   • Ruled by military officers or a junta

   • Civilian government and constitution often suspended

   • Justified to the public as temporary to restore order

   • Recent examples: Myanmar, Sudan

Global Trends in Non-Democratic Rule

• Continued decline in democratic countries,

• 74 out of 137 countries under some form of undemocratic rule according to BTI transformation index

• Ongoing challenges to democratic norms worldwide

Russia's Political System

• Classified as undemocratic, moving from competitive authoritarianism to hybrid totalitarianism under Putin

• Increasing repression, censorship, ideological control since the Ukraine invasion in 2022

• Intolerance for dissent, new laws criminalizing criticism, intensified propaganda

• Shift from destabilizing opposition to demanding active support for government policies

Key Characteristics of Russia's Political System

• Maintain regime stability and central authority

• Strengthening state sovereignty and territorial integrity

• Promotion of nationalism and traditional values

• Suppressing dissent through media control, judiciary and security forces

Historical Context

• Post-Soviet Union era showcased semi-democratic attempts under Boris Yeltsin

• Political instability and power struggles during this time

• Putin's rise to power in 2000 resulted in centralized authority and weakened democratic institutions

Political Ideology under Putin

• Nationalism: Strong pride in Russia, special significance on the world stage

• Conservatism: Emphasis on traditional values and opposition to Western liberalism

• Strong Central Power: Advocates for a powerful government led by a single leader

• Anti-Western Attitude: Criticism of Western nations, especially the USA

• Nostalgia for Past Power: Appeals to Russia's strong historical identity

Executive Branch

• Led by President Putin, supported by the Prime Minister

• Elections appear popular but are manipulated

• President has control over foreign policy, defense, and legislation

Legislative Branch

• Bicameral Federal Assembly: State Duma (lower house) and Federation Council (upper house)

• Duma members elected, but Federation Council appointed by regional authorities

• Independence compromised by executive influence, regarded as a "rubber stamp" institution

Judicial Branch

• Includes Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, and regional courts

• Judges appointed by the President with Federation Council approval

• Judiciary lacks true independence; often used to suppress dissent

Undermining Democratic Principles

• Manipulation of elections evident in 2024 election with disinformation campaigns

• Censorship of independent media leads to dominance of state-controlled narratives

• Suppression of political opposition illustrated by Alexei Navalny's death in 2024

• Judicial independence compromised, with repercussions for independent judges

Current Issues and Conclusions

• Ongoing war in Ukraine reflects aggressive nationalism and international law disregard

• 2020 constitutional amendments extending Putin's rule to 2036

• Democratic principles eroded, elections controlled, opposition silenced

• The legal system used to suppress dissent rather than uphold justice

• Shift towards totalitarianism with propaganda and nationalism shaping public perception

• Alexei Navalny’s death and aggression in Ukraine highlight the erosion of democratic norms

• Future of democracy in Russia uncertain under concentrated power, but authoritarian systems do not last indefinitely.

Quotes

• "In the absence of genuine democracy, citizens are left without a proper voice in national affairs."

• "The suppression of dissent is a hallmark of totalitarian regimes that seek to maintain control at all costs."