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Russian Political Institutions

Russian Political Institutions. Federalism. Although the Soviet Union was highly centralized, it had a federal government structure Russian Federation also federal , with the current regime consisting of 83 regions

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Russian Political Institutions

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  1. Russian Political Institutions

  2. Federalism • Although the Soviet Union was highly centralized, it had a federal government structure • Russian Federation also federal, with the current regime consisting of 83 regions • Putin ended direct election of the 83 regional governors, they are now nominated by the president and confirmed by the regional legislatures • Putin created 7 federal districts with appointed “super governors”

  3. Elections • 3 types • Referendum-- president can call for national referenda by popular vote on important issues • Duma Elections (changed in 2007) • Now elections are entirely proportional • Single-member districts were eliminated in 2007 upon the initiative of President Putin • The threshold for eligibility to win seats was raised from 5% to 7% • In 2003, 100 of the 225 single-member district seats were won by independents or minor party candidates • Presidential Elections • Direct elections, if no candidate receives 50% of the vote in 1st round, run-off between top 2

  4. 1993 Constitution • March 1993 parliament attempted to impeach Yeltsin • Legislative-led coup tried to take control of the government • Yeltsin dissolved legislature, called for new elections • Although opposition leaders were arrested, Yeltsin’s opponents won the majority in the new legislature • Radical Vladimir Zhirinovsky’s Liberal Party did surprisingly well (reflected disappointments with reforms) • Despite losing control of the legislature Yeltsin was able to get approval for the new constitution: Constitution of 1993

  5. Constitution of 1993 • Created a three-branch government • President & Prime Minister (dual executive) • Lower legislative house (Duma) • Constitutional Court (has power of judicial review) • Mixed Presidential/Parliamentary system

  6. Powers of the President • Appoints the prime minister and cabinet • Duma must approve prime minister’s appointment • President may serve 2 successive six-year terms • Issue decrees that have the force of law • Veto legislation • Dissolve the Duma and call for new elections • Done by Yeltsin during legislative coup attempt of 1993

  7. Prime Minister • Relationship between PM and President not exactly clear • Dual executive • Accountable to the Duma - may be removed through vote of no confidence • Has expanded powers since Putin became PM in 2008

  8. Duma Lower House 450 deputies All chosen by proportional representation Passes Bills, approves budgets Confirms president’s political appointments (PM) Votes of confidence (PM) Impeach president Federation Council Upper House Two members from each of the 83 regions Half now appointed by president Confirm judicial appointment Power to delay legislation Ratify treaties Approve troop deployments Bicameral Legislature

  9. Judiciary • Members appointed by president, confirmed by Federation Council • Courts have power of judicial review

  10. Judiciary • Supreme Court • Created by 1993 Constitution • Serves as final court of appeals in criminal & civil cases • Constitutional Court • Created by 1993 Constitution • 19 members • Has power of judicial review

  11. Military • Generally did not get involved in politics, this continues under the Russian Federation • Suffered significant humiliation from the late 1980’s to early 21st century • Withdrawal from Afghanistan • Defeated by Chechen guerrillas in 1994-1996 conflict • Often ill-equipped, Russian soldiers had to feed themselves and went unpaid for months in late 1990’s and early 21st century

  12. Political Parties • Began forming after 1991 • Small, factional • Formed around particular leaders • “Bloc of General Andrey Nikolaev and Academician Svyaloslav Fyodorov” • “Yuri Boldyrev Movement” (“Yabloko”) • Formed around particular issues • “Party of Pensioners” • “Agrarian Party of Russia” • “Women of Russia” • Only 22% of Russia’s citizens report being a member of a political party

  13. United Russia • Merger between 2 parties to support Putin in the election of 2000 • 2007– 315 Duma seats • 2011– 238 seats • Putin now its leader • United Russia is hard to define other than that it is pro-Putin

  14. Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) • After 1995 elections held 157 of the 450 Duma seats • 2007– 57 Duma seats • 2011– 92 • Party emphasizes central planning and nationalism • Appeals to rural population and older Russians

  15. Liberal Democratic Party • Controversial party founded in 1991 • Headed by Vladimir Zhirinovsky • Extreme nationalist • Anti-semitic • Victories in 1990s reflected disappointments with reforms • 2007– 40 seats • 2011– 56 seats

  16. Yabloko Founded 1993 Takes strongest pro-democracy stance Won 1.6% of vote in the 2007 elections, 3.4% in 2011 Not enough to reach the 7% threshold, so no seats Union of Right Forces Supports free market and privatization Won 0.96% of vote in the 2007 elections, dissolved in 2008 Reformist Parties

  17. Oligarchs By mid-1990s monopolized Russian industry and built huge fortunes Dominant in oil, media, and television industries Helped get Vladimir Putin elected in 2000 Russian Mafia Larger and perhaps even more influential than the oligarchy During Revolution of 1991 gained control of businesses, natural resources, and banks Involved in money laundering, drugs, prostitution, and business payoffs (“protection money”) Includes former members of the KGB Interest Groups

  18. Linkage Institutions Today • Oligarchs and the mafia reflect unequal nature of Russian society • In 2003, Mikhail Khodorvsky, the richest man in Russia and CEO of the Yukos Oil Company was arrested as a signal that the Russian government was consolidating power • Yukos was slapped with massive penalties and additional taxes, forcing it into bankruptcy • Russian Media– close ties to both the state and the oligarchy • Significant limits on freedom of the press

  19. 2004– wealthiest man in Russia, 16th on Forbes’ list of billionaires • In prison at least until 2017

  20. Russian Political Culture Nationality • Most important single cleavage in Russia • 80% of population is Russian

  21. Chechnya (separatist ethnic movement) • Primarily Muslim region of Russia • Contains some valuable resources, such as oil fields • Independence movement is strong, and Russian government has struggled to keep Chechnya region within its control • Chechens have reverted to terrorist tactics including taking over a heavily attended Russian theater and in 2004 the seizure of a school that resulted in the deaths of over 350 people, mostly children

  22. Beliefs and Attitudes • Mistrust of Government – result of mistreatment and government secrecy during tsarist and Soviet regimes • Statism– despite mistrust of government, Russian citizens still expect the state to take active role in their lives • Economic Beliefs– nearly all groups and political factions favor market reforms, but many still believe in egalitarianism • Weak Civil Society – Few Russians are members of clubs, churches, or cultural groups

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