RussiaPart 1: The Making of the Modern State

Why do we study Russia? History of Communism (Soviet Union) &

Totalitarianism Transition to Democracy Example of Illiberal Democracy Current trend to authoritarianism - Putin

Geography Officially, the Russian

Federation Largest successor state of the

Soviet Union Largest country in the world

(area) 17,098,242 sq mi Spans 11 time zones

Largest European country in population 140 million 73% live in urban areas

Critical location Between Europe, Islamic

World and Asia

The Bolshevik Revolution 1st country to base political system on

Marxism 1917 Bolshevik Revolution

Led by V.I. Lenin Overthrew tsarist govt

Marxism-Leninism Vanguardism Democratic centralism

The Bolshevik Revolution Discussion Question: How did Lenin’s

revolution differ from what Marx envisioned?

The Bolshevik Revolution Discussion Question: How did Lenin’s

revolution differ from what Marx envisioned? Marx believed it was inevitable that in a

capitalistic society, workers would eventually revolt and overthrow the bourgeoise (a socialist revolution) in order to create a classless, stateless, society

BUT at the time of the Bolshevik Revolution, Russia was a backward, poorly developed and largely feudal country with a very small industrial working class

Lenin saw the need for a strong leader/group to begin the revolution…and then continue as a strong state

The Bolshevik Revolution Lenin directed industrialization

and agricultural development from a centralized govt

1922 Bolsheviks formed the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) Authoritarian strains eclipsed democratic

elements No competing ideologies

Stalinism (1929-1953) Placed Communist Party at center of control

Allowed no other political parties to compete Leaders identified through nomenklatura

Process of party members selecting promising recruits from lower levels

Central Committee, Politburo, General Secretary

Collectivization & Industrialization Took land from peasants and created state run

collective farms Private land ownership abolished

Five Year Plan Set goals for production of heavy industry (oil,

steel, electricity)

Stalinism (1929-1953) Totalitarianism and Purges

Media censorship/state control of arts Party authoritative source of truth Estimated 5% of population (millions of

citizens) were executed for “treason” Attempts at De-Stalinization

Nikita Khrushchev led process of reforms

Rejected terror as political control Loosened censorship Restructured collective farms Reforms didn’t work - ended with Brezhnev

Gorbachev (1985-1991) Mikhail Gorbachev – reformer who wanted

to adapt communist system to new conditions, not usher in its demise

3 Main Goals:1. Glasnost – political “Openness”

Allowed more open discussion of issues Opened door for revolt by some republics

2. Democratization Creation of Congress of People’s Deputies President selected by Congress

3. Perestroika – Economic Reform Transfer of economic powers from govt to private

hands and market economy

The Russian Federation: 1991 - Present

Aug 1991, “conservatives” (opposed to reform) led a coup d’etat to remove Gorbachev Failed! Stopped by protesters led by a more

radical reformer, Boris Yeltsin (the elected president)

Gorbachev restored to power but by Dec 1991, 11 republics declared their independence

End of USSR!! Yeltsin emerged as president of largest and

most powerful republic, Russian Federation

The Russian Federation: 1991 - Present

Yeltsin’s Goal Create a western-style democracy

Constitution of 1993 Shock Therapy – rapid, radical, market

reform Loosened or lifted price and wage controls Privatization Vouchers Insider Privatization Rise of Oligarchs & corruption

2000 Putin won presidency… more to come

RussiaPart 2: Institutions

Political Structure 1993 Democratic Constitution…but a history

of Authoritarianism Currently considered a hybrid regime:

“Soft authoritarianism” Semi-authoritarian

Federal system…but Asymmetric Federalism 89 regions (subnational units) 21 are ethnically non-Russian by majority

(republics) Some subnational units in the federal system have

greater or lesser powers than others

Political Structure Discussion Question: Why does Russia have

asymmetric federalism? What purpose does it serve?

Political Structure Discussion Question: Why does Russia have

asymmetric federalism? What purpose does it serve?

To deal with ethnic/regional cleavages; an attempt to keep them from seeking independence

Republics have the right to establish their own official language and have their own constitution Krais (territories) and Oblasts (provinces), aren't

explicitly given this right Central govt was weak under Yelstin, so many

ruled themselves almost independently

Political Structure Putin’s Crack-Down on Regional Autonomy

Military crushed Chechen resistance Power Vertical & Creation of Super-

Districts 7 new federal districts Headed by presidential appointee

Appointment of Governors Ended direct election of regional governors Nominated by pres, confirmed by regional

legislatures Removal of Governors Changes in Federation Council

Semi-Presidential Hybrid that borrows from

pres/parliamentary systems Strong President Head of State – President

Vladimir Putin Directly elected – majority/2 round model Six year term* Limit of two consecutive terms Next election is March 2018

Semi-Presidential Powers of the President

Appoint PM, Cabinet & Governors Issue decrees that have force of law Dissolve the Duma Call state of emergency/impose martial law Call referendums Suspend actions of other state organs

President can be impeached BUT… Head of Gov’t – The Prime Minister

Dmitri Medvedev Can be removed with 2 repeat votes of no

confidence within 3 mths

Semi-Presidential Discussion Question: What features of the

Russian system make it presidential? What features make it parliamentary?

Semi-Presidential Discussion Question: What features of the

Russian system make it presidential? What features make it parliamentary?

Presidential: There’s a president (duh!) that’s directly elected

(fixed election cycle) President may veto Duma legislation President may be impeached

Parliamentary: PM is head of gov’t Votes of No Confidence

The Executive Discussion Question: How does the role of the

Mexican president compare to the Russian president?

MEXICO:BOTH:RUSSIA:

The Executive Discussion Question: How does the role of the

Mexican president compare to the Russian president?

MEXICO:BOTH:RUSSIA:

• Limited to 2 consecutive terms

• Head of State only

• Election is 2 round model

• Weak check of power by legislative branch

• Can dissolve Duma

• Directly elected• 6 year terms• Power has been

unchecked by judiciary

• Power of appointments

• Power of decree• Power to remove

governors

• Sexenio – no re-election

• Head of State and Head of Gov’t

• Election is simple majority (plurality)

• Starting to be challenged by legislature (Congress)

A Bicameral Legislature Weak check on executive power Duma – Lower House

450 Deputies (only about 13% women) Selected by Proportional Representation (party list)*

(changed in 2007 from mixed; NOTE: Will change back to Mixed in 2016 elections!)

5 year terms** Powers

Passes bills Approves budget Confirms president’s appointments

Powers are limited Pres may rule by decree Duma’s attempts to reject prime ministers have failed

A Bicameral Legislature Federation Council – Upper House

Represents regions 2 members from each of 89 federal subunits 1 chosen by governor of each region, other by

regional legislature* (but remember…who appoints governors??)

Powers Mostly delay bills (Duma overrides with 2/3 vote) Approve presidential appointees and presidential

decrees relating to martial law and states emergencies

May change boundaries among republics, ratify use of armed forces outside country, and appoint & remove judges

The Judiciary & Rule of Law Constitutional Court

19 members, appointed by President, approved by Federation Council

Judicial review BUT…Court tries not to confront Presidency

Resolves conflicts regarding constitutionality of federal/regional laws & jurisdictional disputes between institutions

Pres, 1/5 of either house, citizens may request court to look at case

Supreme Court Final court of appeals in criminal/civil cases Does NOT have power of judicial review

The Judiciary & Rule of Law Rule of Law

Putin initiated law reform – jury trials Procedural codes for criminal and civil rights BUT… Movement toward rule of law continues to be

blocked by corruption Security police continue to operate autonomously Trials of oligarchs indicate courts still under political

control of Putin

Corruption Survey Results At least ½ of population involved in corruption

daily Bribes for auto permits, school enrollment, proper

health care and favorable court rulings

The Military Source of Soviet strength during Cold War Under Russian Federation historically weak and

not a force Showed some signs of strengthening (Georgia) Importance has been elevated with invasion of

Ukraine

Linkage Institutions – Overview Linkage Institutions – still not strong in Russia Political Parties

Historically unstable…why? No strong opposing political parties to dominating party

State Corporatism State determines which groups have input into

policymaking Weak civil society means interest groups have no solid

footing Media

Some privately owned, but state controlled

Ranks 140th out of 178 in terms of press freedom

Linkage Institutions – Political Parties Dominant Party System

A party system in which one large party directs the political system, but small parties exist and may compete in elections

United Russia Founded in April 2001 as merger of Fatherland

All-Russia Party & Unity Party of Russia Hard to define ideology – Pro PutinPolitical Party Seats (2011 Duma Elections)

United Russia 238

Communist party of the RF 92

Liberal Democratic Party 56

A Just Russia 64

Linkage Institutions Discussion Question: How does United Russia

dominate?

Linkage Instiutions Discussion Question: How does United Russia

dominate? Putin! Political machine that generates persuasive incentives

for regional elites Heads of Russian regions use their influence to bolster

party’s votes (Pres appoints governors, remember?) Election and political party requirements limit opposition

Parties have to include regional representatives on list Parties must have affiliates in more than half of regions, with

a certain # of registered members in these regions Choice of deputies on list must reflect strength of vote in

region Legally registered party 7% threshold for Duma representation

Linkage Institutions – Political Parties The Communist Party of the Russian

Federation (CPRF) Formed from Communist party of Soviet Union Strongest opposition party to United Russia Less reformist than other parties Emphasizes centralized planning and nationalism Implies intention to regain territories lost when

USSR broke apart Supported by older Russians, economically

disadvantaged and rural residents

Linkage Institutions – Political Parties Liberal Democratic Party

Misnomer! Vladimir Zhirinovsky – extreme nationalist Anti-Western Nuclear threats against Japan, anti-Semitic, sexist Strongest support from

working-class men and military

Linkage Institutions – Political Parties A Just Russia

Formed in 2006 – merger (Motherland People’s Patriotic Union/Party of Pensioners/Party of Life)

Led by Speaker of Federation Council Sergei Mironov

Left of United Russia Opposition in name only

Supported Presidents Putin and Medvedev

“We are the party of the working man”

Linkage Institutions? Oligarchs, Media & Mafia

Oligarchs Wealthy elite that monopolized industries after

privatization At one point controlled over ½ of Russian GNP Oil industry, media Backed Yeltsin, but Putin now resisting their

control Mafia

Controls underworld crime Gained power after Revolution of 1991

RussiaPart 3: Citizens, Society, and the State

Social Cleavages -Nationality Biggest Cleavage is Nationality

80% are Russian Tatar = 3.8% (Muslim) Ukrainian = 2% Bashkir = 1.2% Chuvash = 1.1% Other = 12.1%

Because of structure of federation, ethnicity tends to be coinciding with region and often religion too

Russkii vs Rossiiskii Chechnya - primary Muslim region has fought

for independence

Social Cleavages -Nationality

Social Cleavages - Religion Most ethnic Russians identify themselves

as Russian Orthodox, but are largely nonreligious

Other religions are represented in small percentages Muslims, Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish

Recent rapid rise in Muslim share of population Moscow (laborers) The Caucasus (area between Black & Caspian Seas)

Includes Chechens Very unstable region

Bashkortostan and Tatarstan

Social Cleavages – Other Social Class

In USSR – Communist party members (elite) vs. non-members

Modern times – small class of really rich (started with Oligarchs) vs working class (middle class small by Western standards)

Rural/Urban 73% now live in cities,

mostly in west More likely to be well

educated and more in touch with western values

Political Culture Deference to authority

Tradition of personalistic authority Highly centralized leadership

Mistrust of Government Most of population historically alienated from

political system Subjects rather than participants

Statism and Collectivist tendencies Expect the state to take an active role in their lives Collectivism/egalitarianism – distrust those who

get ahead Desire for order/stability

Even at expense of personal freedom

Political Culture Discussion Question: In Russia, when a

contestant on the show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” asks the audience for help, the audience usually gives the incorrect answer. Based on your understanding of Russian political culture/cultural values, WHY do you think they give the wrong answer?

Political Culture Discussion Question: In Russia, when a

contestant on the show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” asks the audience for help, the audience usually gives the incorrect answer. Based on your understanding of Russian political culture/cultural values, WHY do you think they give the wrong answer?

Because of Collectivist value, they distrust anyone who gets ahead, especially those who try to “get rich on the backs of the audience members”

Political Culture Slavophile vs. Westerner Slavophile:

Nationalism Defense of Russian interests/Slavic culture Strong military Reject western values Against integration

Westerner: Reformers Want integration Open to western values

Putin’s supporters tend to be ________________.

Political Participation Voting:

Voting 100% under USSR (compulsory)

Presidential Elections: 2008 around 70%, 2012 65%*

Civil Society Slowly started to emerge since 1991 Under Putin many obstacles:

Registration, reporting requirements, gov’t supervision

2007 restricting of use of public demonstrations and protests

The Other Russia Opposition Movement

Political Participation Russian Youth Groups

Created by Putin Nashi (largest), Youth Guard and Locals Part of an effort to build a following of loyal,

patriotic, young people (diffuse youthful resistance)

Organize mass marches and demonstrations

Political Participation Propaganda