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Linkage Institutions: Putin and the Media

Linkage Institutions: Putin and the Media. 1991-2000 Oligarchs controlled major TV stations. Critical of Putin’s policies (i.e., Chechnya). Putin’s Response Gusinsky : arrested for corruption NTV: now owned by Gazprom State-owned natural gas Berezovsky : fled the country

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Linkage Institutions: Putin and the Media

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  1. Linkage Institutions: Putin and the Media 1991-2000 • Oligarchs controlled major TV stations. • Critical of Putin’s policies • (i.e., Chechnya) • Putin’s Response • Gusinsky: arrested for corruption • NTV: now owned by Gazprom • State-owned natural gas • Berezovsky: fled the country • TV-6 was closed by the government

  2. Kremlin controls all major media • Election Coverage: • Overwhelmingly Pro-Putin/United Russia • Trash opposition • No chance to respond to charges on air.

  3. Campaign Laws Hurt Opposition • Low levels of campaign spending allowed • Can’t explicitly campaign until 1 month before election

  4. Kasparov: 60 Minutes • Describe the obstacles for political opposition. • Describe the reasons Putin was so popular in 2007. • How important is a liberal democracy to Russians? • What other issues are more important for them?

  5. Special Interest Groups • STATE CORPORATISM • State determines which groups have input in policy making. • Either the State controls major industries. OR • INSIDER PRIVATIZATION • Companies run by men loyal to government (oligarchs loyal to Putin)

  6. Russian Oligarchs • Tycoons that bought state-owned industries at a cheap price when USSR collapsed. • Many oligarchs came from nomenklatura. • Close ties to Yeltsin in 1990s.

  7. Putin and the Oligarchs • Warned them to stay out of politics. • Political challengers were: • Jailed • Fled country • Pro-Putin Oligarchs • Insider Privatization

  8. Mikhail Khodorkovsky • Richest man in Russia • CEO of Yukos Oil Co. • Funded opposition parties • 2003: 8-year sentence for fraud and tax evasion • 2011: 5 more years for stealing and laundering

  9. Corruption in Russia • “The regime Putin built was based on loyalty to him above the rule of law.” • Mikhail Trepashkin • Ranks 154th out of 178 countries on Transparency International Report, 2010.

  10. “Anti-Corruption Efforts I Russia Fall Short • Why do Russian authorities frame innocent people? • How much do Russians pay in bribes a year? • How do police officers advance in the department? • Why was Trespashkin fired from the FSB?

  11. Russia’s Political Culture Basic values and assumptions that people have toward authority, the political system, and political life. • Mistrust of Government • Low legitimacy and political efficacy • Statism • Government plays an active, strong role in shaping society (political, economic, social, and military). • Equality of Result • Persists after communism • Low approval of oligarchs

  12. Civil Society Organizations outside of the state that allow for political or civil participation. • Restriction of group activities (especially if group is critical of government). • Tough registration laws. • Harassment from police and local officials. • 2006 NGO Law

  13. On Dec. 4-5, thousands protest the results of 2011 Duma election in unapproved rallies against the “party of swindlers and thieves.”

  14. Arrest of liberal Politician, Boris Nemtsov. Over 500 were also arrested.

  15. 25,000-50,000 Protest again on December 10.

  16. Pro-Putin youth hold rallies that were televised.Photos courtesy of “BBC News.”

  17. Nashi Youth Group • Loyal, patriotic Putin supporters • Various activities • Marches, demonstrations, summer camps • Receive government grants • Donations from state-run businesses

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