The Russian Federation 1991-Present Wikipedia

1991: A Failed Coup and Revolution August 1991: Conservatives (those who did not favor Gorbachev’s reforms) led a coup d’etat against Gorbachev The coup failed: protests, military defected Boris Yeltsin (elected president of the Russian Republic) led protests (kicked out of Politburo because of radical views) Advocated extreme reform measures Gorbachev restored to power until the demise of the USSR http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail_Gorbachev

New State, New Leader: Boris Yeltsin Yeltsin creates a western-style democracy Constitution of 1993 (three-branch government, president, prime minister, a lower legislative house or Duma, and a Constitutional Court) Shock Therapy: an immediate market economy Yeltsin: A Poor leader Frequent illnesses, Alcoholic Erratic behavior: hired and fired multiple Prime Ministers Shortly before the 2000 election, installs Vladimir Putin as Prime Minister and then resigns Acting President Putin wins a peaceful 2000 election http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Yeltsin

Political Participation Until Gorbachev’s election reforms, voter turnout 100% Gorbachev creates competitive elections, no alternate party to run Only “alternate candidates” within the CCP could run against the designated party candidate Since 1991, relatively high voter turnout Undeveloped civil society (private organizations and associations outside of politics) Only 1% report belonging to a political party 1991 75% 2004 65% Russian Presidential Elections

Political Institutions Traditionally, authoritarian regime types 1990 reforms (democracy and free market) are experimental New regime must account for Russian culture and traditions Russian politics and government settling into a pattern

Political Institutions USSR: Highly centralized Maintained a Federal Government Structure Russian Federation retained this model Currently: 89 regions (21 are ethnically non-Russian by majority) http://map.rin.ru/index_e.html

Political Institutions Each region is bound by treaty to the Federation Chechnya Regions called “republics”: Under Yeltsin, Republics ruled themselves independently Putin cracks down: Army into Chechnya Removes governors from office if they refuse to subject local law to the national constitution 2004, governors are no longer elected but appointed by the president, and confirmed by regional legislators As a result, the “Federation” is still highly centralized

Linkage Institutions Linkage Institutions: Political Parties Elections Interest groups Media Not strong in Russia Parties unstable and fluid 2000, power concentrated in Putin’s party (no strong opposing parties in existence) Interest groups are weak (no civil society) Media under government control Clip art

Political Parties New Small factional parties (1995, 45 parties on the Duma ballot) First parties centered around a person or a particular issue, not ideology Number of parties have shrunk No time to develop party loyalty Leadership continues to be personalistic Parties weak and fluid Clip art

Political Parties United Russia, 2001: Fatherland all-Russia Party and Unity Party of Russia Supported Putin Founded by oligarchs and entrepreneurs 2004, won 221 of 450 seats Many minor parties support Putin Putin won with 71% with no serious challengers No real ideology-pro-Putin http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Russia

Political Parties The Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) Second strongest party in the Duma 1995-held 157/450 2003-held only 12.6% of Duma or 51 seats Gennady Zyuganov (2nd behind Putin in 2000 with 29.21%) Vladimir Tikhonov- breakaway faction leader, weakened the party http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communist_Party_of_the_Russian_Federation

Political Parties Reformist Parties: Yabloko: Pro-democracy. Grigori Yavlinski came in third in 2000 with 5.8% of the vote. Only 4 seats in the Duma Union of Right Forces: “Right” in understanding the truth. Development of the free market and privatization of industry. Only 3 seats in the Duma. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yabloko

Political Parties The Liberal Democratic Party Vladimir Zhirinovsky, controversial leader Would use nukes against Japan Frequent anti-Semitic remarks (he’s Jewish) Blatant sexist remarks Annex Poland, Finland, and Alaska Won 11% of the total vote in 2003 Duma elections, or 37 seats http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_Democratic_Party_of_Russia