The Changing of Russian PoliticsThe Changing of Russian Politics

Liberal Democracy or Liberal Democracy or Dictatorship?Dictatorship?

Russia - A Closer LookRussia - A Closer Look

Population: Approximately 148,000,000Population: Approximately 148,000,000 Life ExpectancyLife Expectancy

• 57 years male57 years male

• 70 years female70 years female

Per Capita Income/GDP: $5,300/$796 bPer Capita Income/GDP: $5,300/$796 b Gained independence on August 24, Gained independence on August 24,

19911991 Leadership - soon to be determinedLeadership - soon to be determined

A Look at the PastA Look at the Past

The ever strong communist regimeThe ever strong communist regime The effects of the Cold War on the The effects of the Cold War on the

dictatorship in the former USSRdictatorship in the former USSR Stalin’s focus on image-making would Stalin’s focus on image-making would

lead to the demise of the Superpower lead to the demise of the Superpower People could take no morePeople could take no more Communism could stand no longerCommunism could stand no longer

The Fall of the Old EmpireThe Fall of the Old Empire

Gorbachev’s policies of reform and its Gorbachev’s policies of reform and its effects on the breakup of the USSReffects on the breakup of the USSR

The past is uncovered, revealing things The past is uncovered, revealing things such as Chernobyl, crime, corruption, such as Chernobyl, crime, corruption, and disbelief?? and disbelief??

Communist ideologies break the Communist ideologies break the communist regimecommunist regime

““Image-making” and “quota systems”Image-making” and “quota systems”

Political ReformPolitical Reform

Gorbachev led the former USSR into Gorbachev led the former USSR into 1990 and political reform was inevitable1990 and political reform was inevitable

What went wrong in the end?What went wrong in the end? General mismanagement, and advisors General mismanagement, and advisors

with different solutions but not the right with different solutions but not the right oneone

Incapable of disarming corruptionIncapable of disarming corruption

From Gorbachev to Yeltsin From Gorbachev to Yeltsin

Along with Yeltsin is the emergence of Along with Yeltsin is the emergence of an electoral democracyan electoral democracy

This is perceived as a revolutionary This is perceived as a revolutionary achievement in Russian historyachievement in Russian history

Yeltsin is a key contributor to Russian Yeltsin is a key contributor to Russian democracy todaydemocracy today

Yeltsin has instilled hope for future Yeltsin has instilled hope for future stabilitystability

CriticismsCriticisms

There have been predictions of the There have been predictions of the collapse of the current Russian collapse of the current Russian democracydemocracy

Many felt Yeltsin could not hold Many felt Yeltsin could not hold leadership for a second termleadership for a second term

Criticisms cont.Criticisms cont.

A key point in 1996 was that any hopes A key point in 1996 was that any hopes of stable electoral democracy relied on of stable electoral democracy relied on the re-election of Yeltsinthe re-election of Yeltsin

A new leader would result in going back A new leader would result in going back to old ways and ruin any hope of to old ways and ruin any hope of stabilizing an electoral democracystabilizing an electoral democracy

Yeltsin’s ReelectionYeltsin’s Reelection

Yeltsin was able to prove people wrong Yeltsin was able to prove people wrong and was able to build and further and was able to build and further develop a stronger Russiadevelop a stronger Russia

Because of Yeltsin, Russia is closer to a Because of Yeltsin, Russia is closer to a democratic country than ever before democratic country than ever before

Optimist vs Pessimist Optimist vs Pessimist

Optimist believe that Optimist believe that Russia is headed for Russia is headed for a more liberal a more liberal democratic democratic consolidationconsolidation

Pessimists see Pessimists see Russia headed for Russia headed for democratic collapse democratic collapse and possibly and possibly reverting to old waysreverting to old ways

Yeltsin Steps DownYeltsin Steps Down

On the eve of the new millennium, On the eve of the new millennium, Yeltsin resignsYeltsin resigns

The leadership was put in the hands of The leadership was put in the hands of Prime Minister Vladimir PutinPrime Minister Vladimir Putin

Putin then called for new elections to be Putin then called for new elections to be held on March 26, 2000held on March 26, 2000

Survival of Russian DemocracySurvival of Russian Democracy

Proportional representation helped to Proportional representation helped to create new party formationcreate new party formation

Parties have developed well-defined Parties have developed well-defined platforms and loyal electoratesplatforms and loyal electorates

Shows some sort of stability in current Shows some sort of stability in current Russian democracy Russian democracy

The March ElectionThe March Election Russia’s upcoming election shows great Russia’s upcoming election shows great

potential for future success with electoral potential for future success with electoral democracydemocracy

Last reported there were 12 candidates in Last reported there were 12 candidates in total, each promoting their campaigntotal, each promoting their campaign

It seems as though Putin dominates the It seems as though Putin dominates the race so far, when last polled with 60& race so far, when last polled with 60& support followed by Mr. Zyuganov 20%support followed by Mr. Zyuganov 20%

Russian Politics and Corruption Russian Politics and Corruption

How much influence does corruption How much influence does corruption have on Russian Democracy and the have on Russian Democracy and the current election?current election?

Corruption is evident in the system Corruption is evident in the system which prevents liberal democracywhich prevents liberal democracy

Talks of candidate’s connections may Talks of candidate’s connections may sway the vote in their favorsway the vote in their favor

Corruption cont.Corruption cont.

How much can some candidates sway How much can some candidates sway or force voters to vote in their favor?or force voters to vote in their favor?

Criticism of corrupt practices which still Criticism of corrupt practices which still exist in Russiaexist in Russia– may interfere with voter practices may interfere with voter practices

As a result, unfair elections which alter As a result, unfair elections which alter the democratic practicethe democratic practice

ConclusionConclusion

In comparing the optimists and the In comparing the optimists and the pessimists, it may be concluded that pessimists, it may be concluded that they may both be wrongthey may both be wrong

Democratic rule in Russia seems to be Democratic rule in Russia seems to be stable for the next few yearsstable for the next few years

But consolidation of liberal democracy is But consolidation of liberal democracy is not in the near futurenot in the near future

Conclusion cont.Conclusion cont.

The old style dictatorship has been used The old style dictatorship has been used for centuries, but has now been replacedfor centuries, but has now been replaced

On a positive note, Russian democracy On a positive note, Russian democracy is stronger then it has ever beenis stronger then it has ever been

The current election is a good step in The current election is a good step in ensuring strength and stability in ensuring strength and stability in Russian politicsRussian politics