Chapter NineChapter Nine
Politics in RussiaPolitics in Russia
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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?
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Country Bio: RussiaCountry Bio: Russia
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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)
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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?
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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)
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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