Russian FederationKaren Escarcha, Harini Reddy, Sophie Eiger, Andy Brightman

A History of Russia1917-Present

Civil War 1917-1921• The Russian Revolution began in 1917 in

which the unpopular Tsar Nicholas II was overthrown and a provisional government was put in place. The Bolshevik Party, led by Vladimir I. Lenin overthrew the provisional government, and sparked a bloody four year civil war between the Whites who supported a democratic republic, and the Reds who supported a Communist regime. Finally after four years the Reds won and set up communist government that later merged with other countries to form the Soviet Union

Lenin 1921-1927

•The country was led by Lenin in which he somewhat backed away from a hard line communist stance, and began to privatize some industries known as the New Economic Policy (NEP), but with the death of Lenin he ideas of a mixed economy died with him 

Stalin 1927-53

•His reign by far was the most brutal of any period in Russia's history. He abandoned Lenin's ideas of a mixed economy and adopted a policy of a total state economy, and prescribing 5 year planning of the economy with a focus on heavy industry. The country in became increasingly regressive in the 1930's in which Stalin executed in estimates 30 million people.

 Khrushchev 1953-64

•Began a period known as Destalinization where he denounced the policies of Stalin and began liberalize some domestic policies, but continued the growing ideological battle between the Soviet Union and the United States

Brezhnev 1964-82

•Brought back Stalinization in which Brezhnev began reinstitute Stalin's policies, but also brought relief in some major tensions between the US and the USSR. Also provide over an 11 year war with Afghanistan

Gorbachev 1985-91

•Mikhail Gorbachev became the first party leader that as not at one time part of Stalin's regime he put in place the policies of glasnost and perestroika new policies of political, social, and economic openness to western. This coupled with the inherent weakness of the Soviet Union led to the collapse of the control of satellite countries and eventually the USSR itself in 1991

Yeltsin 1991-2000 

•As Russia's first president his biggest accomplishment was getting the people to successfully resist a intended coup of Mikhail Gorbachev. He oversaw the chaotic transformation away from communism, but many reforms were poorly planned and ineffective leading to massive corruption.

Putin 2000-08

•Yeltsin's handpicked successor was Vladimir Putin who was elected in 2000. He wanted to restore regional power without damaging western relations. During Putin's presidency he oversaw a transform of major industries go back in the government's hands, and the lessoning of media freedoms. Finally political parties became deeply fragmented leading to Putin's overwhelming reelection in 2004.

Fun Fact Time!

•During the time of Peter the Great, what were Russian men taxed for?

•Having a beard

Sovereignty, Authority and Power

Sovereignty, Gov. Authority, and Power• Sovereignty, though its meanings have varied

across history, also has a core meaning, supreme authority within a territory.

• Government Authority is the authority within a region

• Political power is the ability to shape and control the political behavior of others and to lead and guide their behavior in the direction desired by the person, group, or institution.

History of ideologies in the history of political power in the world:• Absolutism

– Complete centralization of power into the hands of one leader.  These leaders have few, if any restraints on what they can do within their borders. 

– In Russia under Peter the Great in the late 17th - early 18th centuries.

– Reaction to this form of government was often violent, many times resulting in revolutions seeking greater political, social, and economic freedoms.

History of ideologies continued• Enlightenment

– The Enlightenment developed as an extension of the Scientific Revolution.  During the Scientific Revolution, Europeans discarded traditional beliefs and began using reason to explain the world around them. While the Scientific Revolution focused on the physical world, the Enlightenment attempted to explain the purpose of government, and describe the best form of it. 

– However Russia, eschewed most of the Enlightenment ideas because of its nature to disregard Western ideas

History of ideologies in the history of political power in

the world (cont.):• Enlightenment (cont.)

– In Russia, Catherine the Great introduced reforms.  She enacted laws for religious toleration and free education, and also sought the advice of nobles and peasants in the running of government. However, these reforms seldom outlived the monarchs who had enacted them.

• Communism– Marx and Engels believed their theory to be based

on scientific principals and the study of history.  They state that human life has consisted of a  struggle between the people who have economic wealth, and those who do not. 

– Communist revolutions occurred throughout as a result of this ideology.  Most notably, Russia became a communist states replacing long standing monarchies. 

History of ideologies in the history of political power in the world (cont.):• Fascism

– Totalitarian rule that is imperialistic, nationalistic, and anti-communist. 

– Fascism appeared in Italy and Germany after World War I as both countries struggled with political and economic ruin. Benito Mussolini in Italy and Adolf Hitler in Germany used this new ideology to gain power and control over their countries. 

– In the end, only the combined strength of the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union, were able to defeat the Fascists.

History of ideologies in the history of political power in the world (cont.):•Modern Democracy

▫Russia experienced with this form of government resorting eventually to a liberal democracy. defend and increase civil liberties against the encroachment of

governments, institutions and powerful forces in society restrict or regulate government intervention in political, economic

and moral matters affecting the citizenry increase the scope for religious, political and intellectual freedom of

citizens question the demands made by vested interest groups seeking special

privileges develop a society open to talent and which rewards citizens on merit,

rather than on rank, privilege or status frame rules that maximize the well-being of all or most citizens

Importance of Pol. Culture

• Political culture may be defined as the political psychology of a country or nation (or subgroup thereof).

• Political culture facilitate democratic politics and governmental performance

• The importance of political culture is that the beliefs shared by the people of the country is important in maintain unity. If there are differences in opinion, instability is sure to arise.

Importance of Socialization

•To convert or adapt to the needs of society.

•To place under government or group ownership or control.

Scope of Gov.

•The Russian government plays a big role in their economy as they privatize everything and everything is state-owned.▫Needs to diversify the economy further, as

energy and other raw materials still dominate Russian exports

▫World's largest exporter of natural gas and the world's second-largest oil exporter Does anyone know who is number one?

Interesting Fact:

•In 2004 the number of abortions (1.6 million) exceeded the number of live births (1.5 million), continuing a trend of the early 2000s.

Political Institutions

Federation

•Consists of:▫89 sub-national jurisdictions classified as

republics, oblasts (provinces), autonomous oblasts, autonomous regions, and territories

▫21 republics, 49 oblasts (provinces), 6 territories, 10 autonomous regions, one autonomous oblast, and two cities (Moscow and St. Petersburg) with separate oblast statuses

Constitution•Adopted on December 12th, 1993•States:

▫Government is composed of 3 branches ▫Describes government's purpose▫Outlines the rights and responsibilities  of

citizens•In Reality:

▫Executive Branch is extremely powerful▫Nomenklatura system in place

If ones file is favorable enough, his or her name was placed on a nomenklatura list.

People were selected from these lists for important jobs within the party or government

DifferencesPresidential Parliamentary

• Difficult to ▫ Abuse power▫ Act quickly and

coherently because checks are necessary

Prime Minister Rarely needs to

compromise quick and decisive actions

Executive Branch

•President▫Elections:

4 year term, 2 consecutive term limit Obtain one million signatures Two-ballot system

If after the first election no candidate receives a majority of the votes, the top two candidates have a run off 2 weeks later

Similar Election Process as in France Very difficult for the Duma to impeach the

President

President•Holds powers similar to those held by the

U.S. President▫Veto power▫Head of Armed Forces and Security

Council▫ May dissolve the government, call

referendums, and issue decrees

President▫Authority to appoint a wide variety of

government officials  i.e. Prime Minister, Cabinet Members The houses of the bicameral legislative

branch have offered only weak opposition because of their constitutional position and because effective opposition parties do not exist

Legislative Branch•Federal Assembly is bicameral

▫The Upper House = The Federal Council 178 members 2 seats per jurisdiction

▫The Lower House = The State Duma 450 members Half the seats are selected in single member

districts Whoever gets the most votes

Half chosen on a proportional party-list basis Parties who win at least 5% of nation wide votes

▫Election process for both is similar that of Germany 

Legislative Branch

•4 year term•The Federation Council

▫Delays the passage of legislation▫Power has diminished since members have

become presidential appointees• The State Duma

▫Fun fact: Deputies scream each other, walk outs and fist fights are common

▫Approves Presidential appointment

Judicial Branch

•Similar to U.S. Federal Court System, however it is much weaker

•Composed of:▫Constitutional Court▫Supreme Court▫Supreme Court of Arbitration

•Justices serve for life and are appointed by the President

Judicial Branch•Constitutional Court (19 member)

▫Passes judgments on compliance with the federal law and the Constitution

▫Settles jurisdictional disputes between state bodies

•Supreme Court (23 member)▫Rules on matters of civil, criminal, and

adminstrative law•Superior Court for Arbitration

▫Settles commercial disputes

Regional and Local Governments•A governor heads each oblast, each

republic, the Moscow region, and the St. Petersburg region

•Municipal and oblast legislatures are unicameral bodies

•Conflict often occurs between power of the central and regional governments▫Power not clearly clarified by Constitution▫No judicial power or precedent to clarify

Suffrage

•Universal 18 years of age

Political Parties and Interest Groups•Political Parties

▫After living under a one-party rule, many Russians are wary to join political organizations

▫Only 22% of Russians identify themselves with a party

▫Little continuity exists •Interest Groups

▫Also weak▫Less independent of the state▫Cumbersome registration procedures deny

legal status of many groups

Bureaucracy

•Many members of the bureaucracy were from the previous Communist System because they have the necessary government experience

•Federal Security Bureau (FSB) replaced the KGB▫KompromatCompromising material that

the FSB contains about officials

Oligarchs•Incredibly rich and powerful•They own businesses controlling most

natural resources, industrial production, and media

Military

•Not actively involved in politics •However man fear the military's future

involvement

Fun Fact Time!

•Russia has the largest number of what form of entertainment?

•Movie Theaters

Citizens, Society, and the State of Russia

Ethnic Clash• Russians form 80% of population• There are over 100 different national minorities that

make up the Altaic group, the Uralic group, and the Caucasus group

• Ethnic conflict with regard to exit claims by former satellite states that no longer want to be part of the federation

• Chechen rebels have escalated their fight for independence

• Volga-Urals region also experiences high levels of ethnic conflict, but there is less physical violence than in Chechnya due to their nationalizing policies and high levels of economic independence

Religious Conflicts• The country's predominate religion is the

Russian Orthodox Church. ▫ The government gives preferential treatment to this

group in the belief that it increases social cohesiveness▫ This policy has negative effects on minority faith

groups• There is a strong anti-cult movement in Russia

that is opposed to "religious extremism" and includes many benign new religious movements within that category

• These conflicts have been spurred by racial prejudice and territorial claims

Social Conflicts•The social structure was characterized by

self-perpetuation and limited mobility•Ideology no longer determines social

status•Post communist society is also

characterized by a wide disparity in wealth and privilege

•Conditions for the working class and the peasants are sharply at variance with those of the new capitalist class

What is the role of a Civil Society? Non-governmental organizations and institutions that manifest interests and will of citizens

Civil society was reborn in Russia during the glasnost era

Non-governmental organizations still struggle to obtain legitimacy, acceptance, and sustainability

Russian social organizations, however, have had a huge boom, vastly increasing in volume; these include trade unions, veterans groups, youth organizations, women’s associations, and sports clubs

Less than 20% of Russians belong to a civic group› Decline in Women of Russia and environmental groups

Media in Russia Completely under the influence of the

government The government wants the media to only

portray the government in a “positive light”

Limited newspaper and magazine publications

Political Participation in Russia Currently growing, especially among the young new generation who have been assimilating a very western ideology in governmental matters

Younger and educated Russians feel they have basic liberal democratic values› They also want to do away with anything that still

portrays the old regime Low party attachment leads to low voter

turnout Voting rates have dropped since first

democratic election

Social Movements Main issues: trade unions, the environment Social issues: human rights, disabled

organizations, failed government policies 31 listed Political Parties representing each

viewpoint Nazran Massacre horrific attacks which

serve as justification for retaliatory human rights violations and lawless crackdowns by the authorities See picture on next slide

Citizenship and Social Representation

• Although states are independent sovereign actors, many still depend highly on Russia militarily and economically

• Citizenship policies are one tool that Russian elites use to promote a homeland myth of Russia as a way to try to regain the unintentional loss of an empire

• Russian citizenship entails no language requirement, no residency requirement, and no test on

• Russian history, culture, or laws• All of the post-Soviet states are multiethnic states,

and in most of the republics, the Russians are a significant ethnic minority▫ National identity in multiethnic states cannot be built on a common ethnicity, but

it can potentially be built on a common political community, which is defined through citizenship

Fun Fact Time!

•For 70 years following WWI, the official State Religion of Russia was what?

•Atheism

Public Policy

Economy

•The fall of the Soviet Union brought a loss of economic strength▫There was an adequate level of economic

stability▫The living standard was poor however in

Communist Russia•Transition from a command economy to a

market economy was rough▫1991, Yeltsin puts economy through an

unsuccessful “shock therapy”

Economy

•2004, Stabilization Fund of the Russian Federation becomes part of national budget▫Created to supplement a drop in oil price

•Putin doubles Russia’s GDP ▫Makes Russia 11th in the world

Social

•Compared to their previous situation, Russian citizens have more freedoms

• Income Gap and Corruption still exist

Globalism and Foreign Policy•Western culture has “invaded” Russia•Economy is liked to the world’s

Oil

•Russia makes partnership with western oil firms

•A one billion dollar push for oil research•Oil is a large part of Russian economy

Terrorism

•Islamic terror is the most prominent in Russia▫Russia has banned several terrorist

organizations Some say this is unfair due to the bias

targeting of Muslims•Constant series of Chenchen rebellions

▫1999 Russian Apartment bombings▫Beslan School Hostage Crisis

Moscow Metro Bombing

• February 6, suicide bomber kills 41 people.

• Putin blames Chechen for the blast.▫Chechen deny this accusation

• A previously unknown Chechen group claims responsibility▫Celebrate the fourth

anniversary of the killing of the Chechen civilians in Grozny.

Terrorism

•The creation of new security departments to seek out information.

•Many Russians begin to push for peaceful solutions to end all of the violence

Poverty

•Under Putin, the percentage of people living beneath the poverty line went from 30% to 14%.

•Were benefits such as medicine, transportation, and others allotted to the poor.

Sources

•Comparative Politics- Charles Hauss•https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/

the-world-factbook/geos/rs.html•http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/

Russia.pdf•http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3183.htm•http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/

sovereignty/•http://www.proconservative.net/

CUNAPolSci201PartOneC.shtml

Sources

•http://www.regentsprep.org/regents/global/themes/power/pol.cfm

•http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1084748/political-culture

rumblebeee: the early years!!!

Our take on….