Russia Public Project

1. Russia Public Project By: Jack, Grey, Nick, Paxton, and Davis

2. Influences on Public Policymaking and Implementation(Domestic) • The Executive: • The Executive in the Russian Federation is extremely strong. • President oversees: foreign policy, relations with regions, and the organs of the state security. Can call in martial law, grant pardons, call referendums, and temporarily suspend actions of other state organs. • PM pays attention on the economy and related issues. • Since Putin and his party (United Russia) heavily subdue political opposition, the executive has little trouble passing policy if it is what majority party wants. • Little opposition because: Monitored media, President appoints PM and governors, and the President has power to dissolve Duma. • National Bureaucracy: ministries, state committees, and other agencies. • Ministries (Federal Security Service and Defense Ministry) are concerned with policy functions or political aspects. • Generally report directly to the president and act to solicit input from political and economic actors and to persuade them to support government policies. • Security Council: advises president in areas related to foreign policy and security.

3. Influences on Public Policymaking and Implementation(Domestic) • Public/ Semipublic Institutions: Economic sectors such as: telecommunications (non-mobile telephone industry), public transport (railways, buses), media (televisions, radio), and the energy sector. • Though the President appoints the officials for these institutions and most parts of social infrastructure remain under public control, their growing connection to the state will continue to influence policymaking in these areas. • Judiciary: The appointment of judges directly by the executive give favor towards government agencies. • The Constitutional court acts as a vehicle for resolving conflicts involving the protection of individual rights and conformity of regional laws with constitutional requirements. • Public Opinion is generally not influential because those who oppose the majority party are often imprisoned and put on trial for blasphemy.

4. Influences on Public Policymaking and Implementation (International) • Russia is open to global influences • World Bank, International Monetary fund, and the Council of Europe • Seeking membership is others such as the World Trade Organization. • Though Russia formed partnerships with NATO and the EU • membership is not currently foreseen. • Council of Europe: Major defense vehicle for the defense of human rights • Enforced through European Court of Human Rights • In joining this group, Russia has subjected itself to periodic reviews and to the judgments of the ECHR. • Controversial cases involving Russia and human rights have generally gone against Russia. • Dehumanizing Jails in Russian Prison: http://echrrussia.blogspot.com • Though the Chief Justice of the Russian Constitutional suggested that Russia leave the group, the Russian leaders support continued membership.

5. Influences on Public Policymaking and Implementation (International) • European Union: Though Russia has not shown a desire to join the EU, the creation of the four “common spheres” have influence on Russia’s political decisions. • Economic cooperation; Common borders; External Security; and Research, education, and culture. • North Atlantic Treaty Organization: serves duty of crisis management, peacekeeping, opposing international terrorism, and prevention of nuclear proliferation. • Russia has gradually developed a stronger relationship with the organization. • Russia- NATO summit in Lisbon in November of 2010: Endorsed a Joint Review of 21st Century Common Security Challenges. (Terrorism, Piracy, proliferation of WMD).

6. Supranational Institutions and Influences • GOE • Group of Eight • WTO • World Trade Organization • EU • Ukraine Issue • NATO • World Trade Organization

7. International Institutions and Influences • CIS • EurAsEc • CSTO • SCO • All of the above were created in relation to the break up of the Soviet Union • EU • Ukraine issue

8. Current Major Policy Issues • Current Issues in Russia • Child birth • Environmental issues • Anti-gay • Social Welfare • Economic • Terrorism • Corruption

9. Comparison to Other Countries • Russia has the largest country in the world, the country stretches across 11 time zones • The GiniIndex is 42.3 which is 83rd in the world. • GDP-2.022 trillion (8th) • GDP growth is 3.4% • 11.2% of the people are below poverty line • In natural resources they stack up among the top countries around the world

10. Future Public Policy Trends • Health Care: Policy trends may lead to a broader education provided to the population because of the increase in the infant mortality rates. • Putin will continue to centralize the economy (i.e. Putin Doctrine). • The economy should look to be diversified in the future