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The Russian State

The Russian State. Devolution. The Soviet Union collapsed in the process of liberal reforms – not as a result of a war, as happened with the Russian Empire in 1917 Formally, the USSR was a federation of 15 republics, each having a constitutional right to secede

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The Russian State

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  1. The Russian State

  2. Devolution • The Soviet Union collapsed in the process of liberal reforms – not as a result of a war, as happened with the Russian Empire in 1917 • Formally, the USSR was a federation of 15 republics, each having a constitutional right to secede • Liberal reforms, undertaken by Mikhail Gorbachev, reduced the power of the Russian state in several ways: • Reduced state control over the economy • Reduced central control over regional (republic) governments • Reduced state control over information (media) • Reduced state control over individual citizens • It was a historic shift of power in Russia – a massive devolution of power from the top, which was expected to create a more rational, effective, modern political-economic system

  3. Revolution • The devolution went out of control, and the system collapsed. The products of the collapse: • The unleashing of market forces, rapid and chaotic shift to capitalism • The creation of 15 independent nation-states on the basis of the republics of the former USSR • Most of the new states adopted liberal-democratic constitutions • Russia is the largest of the 15 states of the former Soviet Union. It is a federal state, like the USSR, composed of 89 regions. But unlike the USSR, its constitution does not allow regions to secede • 12 of the post-Soviet states have formed a loose Commonwealth of Independent States

  4. Victory or Defeat? • Another empire fell – the people are free • Triumph of democracy • Opportunity to create new and better political-economic systems BUT ALSO: • Disorganization of life, chaos due to collapse of central authority • Effects of “shock therapy” • Absence of a strong legal system • The bureaucracy has freat advantages in struggle for power and property • Weak civil society, lack of traditions of citizen independence, individual responsibility • Loss of Russia’s international influence

  5. Rebuilding a State • Factors for democratic change: • Democracy is needed • Market economy • The state is weak • Factors for authoritarian continuity: • Tradition • Chaos • The nomenklatura dominance • Weakness of civil society

  6. HOW A STATE IS FORMED • The design • The reality of interests and their clashes • The external environment THE REQUIREMENTS OF STATE-BUILDING • Territory - borders • Identity – the ethnic factor, ideology • Constitution – organization of the state • Legitimacy – source of government authority • Governance – effectiveness of policy, public support

  7. The State Emblem of USSR

  8. The State Emblem of the Russian Federation

  9. THE THREE BRANCHES OF RUSSIA’S FEDERAL AUTHORITY The Federal Assembly The President The Constitutional Court Federation Council The State Duma Government of the Russian Federation, headed by Prime Minister JUDICIARY EXECUTIVE LEGISLATIVE

  10. The President • Elected by direct popular vote once every 6 years (before 2012 – every 4 years) • Must receive an absolute majority of the votes cast in an election in which more than 50% of the eligible voters take part • Powers: • Overall responsibility for the state and the Constitution • Commander-in-Chief • Appoints the Government, headed by Prime Minister (the PM’s appointment is normally subject to Duma’s approval, but if it votes 3 times against the President’s appointee, the President can dissolve the Duma and call a new election) • Proposes legislation • Signs bills into law • May rule by decree (without parliamentary consent)

  11. The Federal Assembly • Bicameral • The State Duma (“duma” stands for “thought”, “deliberation”) is elected by popular vote once every 4 years. 50% of the 450 seats are filled through the first-past-the-post method, 50% through proportional representation (voting for party lists) • The Federation Council represents each of the 83 regions of Russia (2 reps from each region); members are appointed by regional authorities

  12. The State Duma • Originates legislation • Approves the candidacy of the Prime Minister • Approves the federal budget • Ratifies international treaties • Oversees the Executive Branch • May impeach the President

  13. The Federation Council (“the Senate”) • Consists of 178 members, each federation subject (republic, oblast, krai, etc.) represented by 2 members • Members are appointed by regional leaders • Ratifies international treaties • Shares with the President the power to: • declare war and state of emergency • confirm border changes • appoint and dismiss General Prosecutor, members of the Constitutional Court and members of the Audit Chamber • Shares with the Duma the power to impeach the President

  14. The Constitutional Court • Has the power of constitutional oversight: may declare actions of government officials, including the President, illegal • Members are appointed by the President • Chair of the Court is elected by a majority of the Members of the Court

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