chapter nine politics in russia copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 pearson education, inc. all rights...

Chapter NineChapter Nine

Politics in RussiaPolitics in Russia

Copyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Aim: Is Russia a democracy?Aim: Is Russia a democracy?

What is the rationale in support of it being considered a democracy?

What are the arguments against?

What is the rationale in support of it being considered a democracy?

What are the arguments against?

Country Bio: RussiaCountry Bio: Russia


Ensuring Continuity of PowerEnsuring Continuity of Power

2008 Medvedev became President of Russian Federation

Chosen by Putin, manipulated election Putin stayed on as Prime Minister, only

allowed two consecutive terms as President

Tandem leadership creates uncertainty 2012 Putin returned as President and

Medvedev as P.M. (six year term)

2008 Medvedev became President of Russian Federation

Chosen by Putin, manipulated election Putin stayed on as Prime Minister, only

allowed two consecutive terms as President

Tandem leadership creates uncertainty 2012 Putin returned as President and

Medvedev as P.M. (six year term)


Current Policy ChallengesCurrent Policy Challenges

Oil revenue up sharply 2000-2008, then plummeted

Russia’s GDP fell 8% “resource curse” – dependence

on windfall from natural resource

Severe demographic crisisPopulation is shrinkingDependent on migrant labor

Oil revenue up sharply 2000-2008, then plummeted

Russia’s GDP fell 8% “resource curse” – dependence

on windfall from natural resource

Severe demographic crisisPopulation is shrinkingDependent on migrant labor


Historical LegaciesHistorical Legacies

Tsarist Regime: autocracy, absolutism, patrimonialism, Orthodox Christianity

Communist Revolution and Soviet Order Lenin – 1917 Russian Communist Party Stalin – 1924 centralized power further Mikhail Gorbachev – 1985 Reforms: glasnost &

perestroika Political institutions of the transition

period: Demise of the USSR Political institutions of the transition

period: Russia 1990-1993

Tsarist Regime: autocracy, absolutism, patrimonialism, Orthodox Christianity

Communist Revolution and Soviet Order Lenin – 1917 Russian Communist Party Stalin – 1924 centralized power further Mikhail Gorbachev – 1985 Reforms: glasnost &

perestroika Political institutions of the transition

period: Demise of the USSR Political institutions of the transition

period: Russia 1990-1993


http://www.historyguide.org/europe/perestroika.html

http://www.historyguide.org/europe/perestroika.html

The Contemporary Constitutional OrderThe Contemporary Constitutional Order

1993 constitution combined elements of presidentialism and parliamentarism Separation of executive,

legislative, judicial branches Federal division of power between

central and regional levels of government

Gave president wide power

1993 constitution combined elements of presidentialism and parliamentarism Separation of executive,

legislative, judicial branches Federal division of power between

central and regional levels of government

Gave president wide powerCopyright © 2012, 2010, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Contemporary Constitutional Order: The PresidencyThe Contemporary Constitutional Order: The Presidency

President appoints prime minister, government

Has right to issue presidential decrees, which have force of law but also limits

Prime minister primarily responsible for economic, social policy

President oversees ministries, other bodies concerned with coercion, law enforcement, state security

President appoints prime minister, government

Has right to issue presidential decrees, which have force of law but also limits

Prime minister primarily responsible for economic, social policy

President oversees ministries, other bodies concerned with coercion, law enforcement, state security


The Contemporary Constitutional Order: The PresidencyThe Contemporary Constitutional Order: The Presidency

President can dissolve parliament or dismiss government

Head of state, commander-in-chief of armed forces

Security Council – chaired by president formulates policy in foreign & defense areas

State Council – heads of regional governments Public Chamber

126 members from civic, sports, artistic, other NGOS

deliberate on matters of public policyImpact – diminishes the role of Parliament

President can dissolve parliament or dismiss government

Head of state, commander-in-chief of armed forces

Security Council – chaired by president formulates policy in foreign & defense areas

State Council – heads of regional governments Public Chamber

126 members from civic, sports, artistic, other NGOS

deliberate on matters of public policyImpact – diminishes the role of Parliament


The Contemporary Constitutional Order: The Government

The Contemporary Constitutional Order: The Government Senior echelon of leadership in executive

branch (P.M., deputy P.M.s and head of ministries and state agencies. Charged with formulating national policy

economic and social realms corresponds to Cabinet in Western

parliamentary systems “The government is not party

government.” – What does this mean?

Senior echelon of leadership in executive branch (P.M., deputy P.M.s and head of ministries and state agencies. Charged with formulating national policy

economic and social realms corresponds to Cabinet in Western

parliamentary systems “The government is not party

government.” – What does this mean?


The Contemporary Constitutional Order: The ParliamentThe Contemporary Constitutional Order: The Parliament

Federal Assembly is bicameral Lower house: State Duma Upper house: Federation Council

Legislation originates in Duma Federal Council can pass, reject, call for

formation of agreement commission to iron out differences

Overriding the Federation Council’s rejection or a presidential veto requires two-thirds of the Duma’s vote. (not since 2000)

Federal Assembly is bicameral Lower house: State Duma Upper house: Federation Council

Legislation originates in Duma Federal Council can pass, reject, call for

formation of agreement commission to iron out differences

Overriding the Federation Council’s rejection or a presidential veto requires two-thirds of the Duma’s vote. (not since 2000)


The Contemporary Constitutional Order: The ParliamentThe Contemporary Constitutional Order: The Parliament When bill clears parliament, goes to president for

signature If president refuses to sign bill, returns to

Duma Duma pass with amendments or override veto

with two-thirds vote Federation Council must approve bill; simple

majority if it approves president’s amendments or two-thirds to override president

United Russia’s presence as the largest party has ensured that the Duma is simply a rubber stamp for the executive branch.

When bill clears parliament, goes to president for signature If president refuses to sign bill, returns to

Duma Duma pass with amendments or override veto

with two-thirds vote Federation Council must approve bill; simple

majority if it approves president’s amendments or two-thirds to override president

United Russia’s presence as the largest party has ensured that the Duma is simply a rubber stamp for the executive branch.


The Judiciary and Law EnforcementThe Judiciary and Law Enforcement

The Procuracy Comparable to prosecuting attorneys in U.S. Wide-ranging responsibilities, centralized hierarchy

The Judiciary Unitary hierarchy: all are federal courts Supreme Commercial Court is highest appellate

court, but has limited powers, cannot challenge the constitutionality of laws or actions of other branches.

Judges nominated by president, confirmed by Federation Council

Trial by jury introduced in the 1990’s (Democratic reform?)

The Bar Advocates, comparable to defense attorneys in U.S.

The Procuracy Comparable to prosecuting attorneys in U.S. Wide-ranging responsibilities, centralized hierarchy

The Judiciary Unitary hierarchy: all are federal courts Supreme Commercial Court is highest appellate

court, but has limited powers, cannot challenge the constitutionality of laws or actions of other branches.

Judges nominated by president, confirmed by Federation Council

Trial by jury introduced in the 1990’s (Democratic reform?)

The Bar Advocates, comparable to defense attorneys in U.S.


The Constitutional CourtThe Constitutional Court

1993 Constitution provides for judicial review by C.C. Has overturned laws passed by National Republics. Settles disputes between the individuals and state

authorities. Reaffirms the sphere of ind. rights Presidential authority is challenge for court

Central Government and Regions 80% of population ethnically Russian Ethnic minorities each no more than 4% Currently has 83 territorial units

republics, districts, provinces, territories, cities Chechen Republic – Independence declaration

led to war

1993 Constitution provides for judicial review by C.C. Has overturned laws passed by National Republics. Settles disputes between the individuals and state

authorities. Reaffirms the sphere of ind. rights Presidential authority is challenge for court

Central Government and Regions 80% of population ethnically Russian Ethnic minorities each no more than 4% Currently has 83 territorial units

republics, districts, provinces, territories, cities Chechen Republic – Independence declaration

led to war


Example of Consolidation of Power to President by PutinExample of Consolidation of Power to President by Putin Beslan Tragedy – Increased centralization of

executive power including the elimination of direct election of governors and allows for presidential nomination of candidate.

New Federal districts established by Presidential Decree, with appointment of presidential rep. to monitor actions of regional governments.

Control of how much freedom by opposition groups Cries of corruption are common and accepted. “Hybrid regime that includes elements of democracy

with a largely authoritarian framework.” – page 350

Beslan Tragedy – Increased centralization of executive power including the elimination of direct election of governors and allows for presidential nomination of candidate.

New Federal districts established by Presidential Decree, with appointment of presidential rep. to monitor actions of regional governments.

Control of how much freedom by opposition groups Cries of corruption are common and accepted. “Hybrid regime that includes elements of democracy

with a largely authoritarian framework.” – page 350

Russian Political Culture in the Post-Soviet PeriodRussian Political Culture in the Post-Soviet Period

Centuries of autocratic rule Rapid, uneven improvement in education,

living standards Exposure to Western standards of political

life Contradictory values in contemporary

political culture Sturdy core of democratic values Firm belief in need for strong state Disillusionment with democratization,

market reforms Support individual rights, but less so for

minorities Nostalgia for old order

Centuries of autocratic rule Rapid, uneven improvement in education,

living standards Exposure to Western standards of political

life Contradictory values in contemporary

political culture Sturdy core of democratic values Firm belief in need for strong state Disillusionment with democratization,

market reforms Support individual rights, but less so for

minorities Nostalgia for old order


Russian Political Culture in the Post-Soviet PeriodRussian Political Culture in the Post-Soviet Period

Political socialization (Volunteers to explain) Education Orthodox Church Mass media Much less subject to direct state

control than in Soviet era Authorities seek to use schools and

media to build loyalty to state, leaders

Political socialization (Volunteers to explain) Education Orthodox Church Mass media Much less subject to direct state

control than in Soviet era Authorities seek to use schools and

media to build loyalty to state, leaders


Political ParticipationPolitical Participation

Importance of social capital Scarce in Russia Participation in civic activity extremely

limited Weakness of intermediate associations Since late 1980s, participation apart from

voting saw surge followed by ebb Not psychologically disengaged or socially

isolated Half Russian population reports reading

national newspapers Vote in high proportions Prize the right to not participate

Importance of social capital Scarce in Russia Participation in civic activity extremely

limited Weakness of intermediate associations Since late 1980s, participation apart from

voting saw surge followed by ebb Not psychologically disengaged or socially

isolated Half Russian population reports reading

national newspapers Vote in high proportions Prize the right to not participate


Political ParticipationPolitical Participation

Elite Recruitment Institutional process in

society by which people gain access to positions of influence, responsibility

Soviet regime: Communist Party nomenklatura

Today, mixture of career types

Elite Recruitment Institutional process in

society by which people gain access to positions of influence, responsibility

Soviet regime: Communist Party nomenklatura

Today, mixture of career types


Interest Articulation: Between Statism and PluralismInterest Articulation: Between Statism and Pluralism

NGOs (half a million registered, with 25% active) Elements of corporatism Three examples of associational groups

Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs League of Committees of Soldiers’ Mothers Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia

New Sectors of Interest Many new associations More collective action by business, other sectors More bargaining over details of policy

NGOs (half a million registered, with 25% active) Elements of corporatism Three examples of associational groups

Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs League of Committees of Soldiers’ Mothers Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia

New Sectors of Interest Many new associations More collective action by business, other sectors More bargaining over details of policy


Parties and the Aggregation of InterestsParties and the Aggregation of Interests

Single party system: United Russia Spectrum of parties holding seats in parliament

dwindled From Multiparty system to Dominant Party

Regime Polarization of Party System: 1980s-90s a two-

party system: LDPR & CPRF Building Party of Power: 1999-2000 Yeltsin

successor: Putin 2003-2004 elections: pro-Putin party, Unity,

renamed United Russia 2007-208 elections: manipulated elections,

disqualified opposition candidates

Single party system: United Russia Spectrum of parties holding seats in parliament

dwindled From Multiparty system to Dominant Party

Regime Polarization of Party System: 1980s-90s a two-

party system: LDPR & CPRF Building Party of Power: 1999-2000 Yeltsin

successor: Putin 2003-2004 elections: pro-Putin party, Unity,

renamed United Russia 2007-208 elections: manipulated elections,

disqualified opposition candidates


The Politics of Economic Reform:

The Dual Transition

The Politics of Economic Reform:

The Dual Transition Stabilization: shock therapy Communism to Capitalism: heavy commitment of

resources to military in Soviet Union complicated reform

Privatization “Loans for shares”

Consequences of privatization Unsustainable debt trap No strong institutional framework, no market

economy Social Conditions

Small minority became wealthy in 1990s High unemployment

Stabilization: shock therapy Communism to Capitalism: heavy commitment of

resources to military in Soviet Union complicated reform

Privatization “Loans for shares”

Consequences of privatization Unsustainable debt trap No strong institutional framework, no market

economy Social Conditions

Small minority became wealthy in 1990s High unemployment


Toward the Rule of Law? The Law-Governed StateToward the Rule of Law? The Law-Governed State

Gorbachev’s goal: make Soviet Union a law-governed state

Obstacles to Rule of Law Abuse of legal institutions by

political authorities Corruption Bribery

Gorbachev’s goal: make Soviet Union a law-governed state

Obstacles to Rule of Law Abuse of legal institutions by

political authorities Corruption Bribery


Russia and the International CommunityRussia and the International Community

Has not fully embraced integration into international community

Has not accepted constraints of international law

Expanded military presence in several former Soviet republics

Post-communist transition has been difficult, incomplete

Has not fully embraced integration into international community

Has not accepted constraints of international law

Expanded military presence in several former Soviet republics

Post-communist transition has been difficult, incomplete


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