1. Unit 3 Chapter 9 Russia

3. Citizens, Society, and the State Citizens, Society, and the StateNATIONALITY= Most important single cleavage in Russia Most important single cleavage in Russia 80% of population is Russian; others include: 80% of population is Russian; others include: –Tatars –Ukranians –Armenians –Bashkis –Moldavians

4. Nationality continued Russia is organized into “federations”, “autonomous regions”, republics, and provinces Russia is organized into “federations”, “autonomous regions”, republics, and provinces Many ethnic groups would like independence, but are enticed by trade benefits with the Russian government to stay in the Federation Many ethnic groups would like independence, but are enticed by trade benefits with the Russian government to stay in the Federation Chechnya is the one exception Chechnya is the one exception

5. Chechnya Primarily Muslim region of Russia Primarily Muslim region of Russia Contains valuable resources (oil) Contains valuable resources (oil) Independence movement is strong, and Russian government has struggled to keep Chechnya region within its control 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 Beslan school that resulted in 350 deaths (mostly kids) Chechens have reverted to terrorist tactics including taking over a heavily attended Russian theater and in 2004 the seizure of a Beslan school that resulted in 350 deaths (mostly kids)

8. Political Culture Characteristics Geographic Setting Geographic Setting Eastern Orthodoxy Eastern Orthodoxy Equality of Result Equality of Result –Egalitarianism (=) –Other democracies focus on equality of opportunity Skeptical about government power Skeptical about government power –Hostile especially toward local authority Importance of Nationality Importance of Nationality

9. Religion Russian Orthodox under the tsars Russian Orthodox under the tsars All religion prohibited during Soviet Unions rule All religion prohibited during Soviet Unions rule Boris Yeltsin encouraged Russian Orthodox Church to reestablish itself Boris Yeltsin encouraged Russian Orthodox Church to reestablish itself Other religions: Catholic, Jews, Muslims, Protestants Other religions: Catholic, Jews, Muslims, Protestants

10. Eastern Orthodox Christianity –Russians established ties with Constantinople and adopted Eastern Orthodox Christianity as their religion in 10 th Century A.D. –Did not share the values of the Renaissance, Reformation, Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment –Russians came to value a strong state to protect them from geographic vulnerabilities

11. Beliefs and Attitudes Mistrust of Government – result of treatment, govt secrecy during czars and Soviet regimes Mistrust of Government – result of treatment, govt secrecy during czars and Soviet regimes Statism –citizens still expect the state to take active role in their lives Statism –citizens still expect the state to take active role in their lives

12. Beliefs and Attitudes Economic Beliefs – nearly all groups favor market reforms, not all do so enthusiastically Economic Beliefs – nearly all groups favor market reforms, not all do so enthusiastically Westernization - “Slavophile vs. Westernizer” –nationalism, Russian interests, and Slavic culture VS. reform, and integration of Russia into world economy and global trade Westernization - “Slavophile vs. Westernizer” –nationalism, Russian interests, and Slavic culture VS. reform, and integration of Russia into world economy and global trade

13. Political Institutions: Federal or Unitary Although the USSR was highly centralized, it still maintained a federal government structure Although the USSR was highly centralized, it still maintained a federal government structure Russian Federation: 89 regions, 21 of which are ethnically non-Russian by majority (most called “republics) Russian Federation: 89 regions, 21 of which are ethnically non-Russian by majority (most called “republics) Each region bound by treaty to the Federation, not all have officially signed on (Chechnya) Each region bound by treaty to the Federation, not all have officially signed on (Chechnya) Putin ended direct election of the 89 regional governors, they are now nominated by the president and confirmed by regional legislatures Putin ended direct election of the 89 regional governors, they are now nominated by the president and confirmed by regional legislatures

14. United Russia Founded in April 2001 as merger between “Fatherland All-Russia” Party and the “United Party of Russia” Founded in April 2001 as merger between “Fatherland All-Russia” Party and the “United Party of Russia” Merger put more political support behind Putin and Medvedev Merger put more political support behind Putin and Medvedev United Russia is hard to define other than that it is pro-Putin United Russia is hard to define other than that it is pro-Putin In 2011 election United Russia lost 77 seats but still have most at 238 of 450 Duma seats In 2011 election United Russia lost 77 seats but still have most at 238 of 450 Duma seats

15. Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) After 2011 election, party gained 35 seats to have a total of 92 Duma seats After 2011 election, party gained 35 seats to have a total of 92 Duma seats Emphasizes central planning and nationalism Emphasizes central planning and nationalism Would like to see Russia regain territories it lost after Soviet Union dissolution Would like to see Russia regain territories it lost after Soviet Union dissolution

16. A Just Russia Was created in 2006 via a merger of three parties: Rodina, Russian Party of Life and the Party of Pensioners Was created in 2006 via a merger of three parties: Rodina, Russian Party of Life and the Party of Pensioners Want a welfare state where all citizens are equal, transfer power over the market from the oligarchs to the people, Improve the socio-economic position of average Russians, opposes high-level corruption and supports democracy Want a welfare state where all citizens are equal, transfer power over the market from the oligarchs to the people, Improve the socio-economic position of average Russians, opposes high-level corruption and supports democracy In 2011, received 64 delegates in Duma In 2011, received 64 delegates in Duma

17. Reformist Parties Yabloko Yabloko –Taken strongest stand for pro- democracy –Has no seats in Duma Union of Right Forces Union of Right Forces –“Rightest” only in the sense of seeking truth –Emphasizes development of free market –Has no seats in Duma

18. Liberal Democratic Party Controversial party Controversial party Nationalist, Anti-Semitic, Sexist, Attacks reformist leaders Nationalist, Anti-Semitic, Sexist, Attacks reformist leaders In 2011 elections gained 16 seats to have a total of 56 in the Duma In 2011 elections gained 16 seats to have a total of 56 in the Duma

19. Elections 3 types 3 types –Referendum –Duma Elections –Presidential Elections

20. Constitution of 1993 Created a three-branch government Created a three-branch government –President & Prime Minister –Lower legislative house (DUMA) –Constitutional Court Referendum - allowed for president to call for national referenda by popular vote on important issues Referendum - allowed for president to call for national referenda by popular vote on important issues  Yeltsin’s 1 st referendum: his job performance  2 nd : approval of the constitution itself

21. Institutions of Government A. President & Prime Minister Duties of the President Duties of the President  Appoints the prime minister and cabinet – Duma must approve prime minister’s appointment, but if they reject the president’s nominee three times, the president may dissolve the Duma

22. –Issue decrees that have force of law – cabinet has great deal of power, Duma can not censure cabinet according to Constitution of 1993  Dissolve the Duma – done by Yeltsin during legislative coup attempt of 1993 –Prime Minister: relationship between PM and President not exactly clear, but with no vice-president if anything happens to president the PM assumes the office of president

23. B. Bicameral Legislature Duma Duma –Lower House –450 deputies –2007- all are chosen by proportional representation with 7% threshold (back to 5% in 2016) –Before 2007- half by plurality and half prop  Passes Bills  Approves Budgets  Confirms president’s political appointments Federation Council Federation Council –Upper House –2 members elected from each of the 89 federation regions –Can delay legislation  On paper Federation Council can change boundaries of republics, ratify use of armed forces, and appoint and remove judges.  Have yet to be used however

24. C. Judiciary Supreme Court Supreme Court –Created by 1993 Constitution –Serves as final court of appeals in criminal & civil cases Constitutional Court Constitutional Court –Created by 1993 Constitution –19 members –Appointed by president and confirmed by Federation Council

25. D. Military Source of strength during the Soviet era Source of strength during the Soviet era Once stood at over 4 million men Once stood at over 4 million men Does not get involved in politics Does not get involved in politics Suffered significant humiliation from the late 1980’s to early 21 st century Suffered significant humiliation from the late 1980’s to early 21 st century –Withdrawal from Afghanistan –Defeated by Chechen guerrillas –Ill-equipped, unpaid for months in late 1990’s

28. Foreign Policy Relations with Former Republics Relations with Former Republics –Confederation of Independent States (CIS) led by Russia…not as successful as the EU due to trade, nationality issues –Putin’s meddling in Ukrainian election of 2004 was cause for concern Relations w/World Relations w/World –Adjustment period following Cold War, lost super- power status –US Aid,investment –Accepted into the G-8, UN Security Council permanent member –Russia set to join the WTO in July 2007

29. Interest Groups Oligarchy= small powerful group dominates sectors of policy and economic decision making, literally means “rule by the few” Oligarchy= small powerful group dominates sectors of policy and economic decision making, literally means “rule by the few”  By mid-1990s monopolized Russian industry and built huge fortunes  Dominant in oil, media, and television industries  Helped Yeltsin win 1996 election

30. Interest Groups Russian Mafia Russian Mafia  Larger and more influential than the oligarchy  Underworld crime, money laundering, drugs, prostitution, and business payoffs “protection money”  Includes former members of the KGB

31. State corporatism Russian govt. has vast state-owned companies in many industries (Gazprom, Rosneft, Russian technology) Russian govt. has vast state-owned companies in many industries (Gazprom, Rosneft, Russian technology) Media also state owned or highly influenced by state Media also state owned or highly influenced by state If companies appear to be independent, or a threat to elites, owners have been cited with legal infractions to force sells (Yukos oil) If companies appear to be independent, or a threat to elites, owners have been cited with legal infractions to force sells (Yukos oil) Many reporters from indep. Media have turned up dead, missing etc. if criticize the govt. Many reporters from indep. Media have turned up dead, missing etc. if criticize the govt.

32. Legitimacy Historically Russia’s political legitimacy has been based on strong, centralized, autocratic rule (czars) Historically Russia’s political legitimacy has been based on strong, centralized, autocratic rule (czars) –Communist rule propagated by Marxism-Leninism  Democratic-Centralism: rule by a few (elite) for the benefit of the many –Stalinism changed the regime to totalitarianism

33. Legitimacy Low legitimacy…Putin uses authoritarian strategies to solidify Russia’s weak, illiberal democracy. Low legitimacy…Putin uses authoritarian strategies to solidify Russia’s weak, illiberal democracy. Constitution of 1993 – provided for a strong president, although power of the president can technically be checked by popular elections and the Duma Constitution of 1993 – provided for a strong president, although power of the president can technically be checked by popular elections and the Duma –Duma has existed since the tsar –Smooth transition from Yeltsin to Putin strengthen CON. 1993’s legitimacy

34. Political & Economic Change 1. Long period of Autocratic rule by Tsars – ruled Russia from the 14 th century to the early 20 th. Control of Russia passed down through the Romanov family from the 17 th century on, but transitions were often accompanied by brutality and assassinations 2. 20 th century rule by Communist Party – began in 1917 when Lenin’s Bolsheviks seized control of the government after the last tsar, Nicholas II, was deposed. The regime toppled in 1991 when a failed coup from within the government created chaos 3. Regime change to Democracy and Free Markets in 1991 – President Boris Yeltsin put western-style reforms in place to help create the Russian Federation

35. Glasnost – “Openness” Open discussion of political, social, and economic issues Open discussion of political, social, and economic issues Allowed for open criticism of government and government policies Allowed for open criticism of government and government policies Gorbachev stressed that the ultimate test of the party lay in improving the economic well-being of the country and it’s people Gorbachev stressed that the ultimate test of the party lay in improving the economic well-being of the country and it’s people –Open market relations –Pragmatic economic policy –Less secretive govt

36. Perestroika – “Restructuring” Loosened controls of Communist Party Loosened controls of Communist Party Economic Restructuring Economic Restructuring –Modernization from within –Transfer economic power from central government to private hands (market econ.)  Creation of privately owned companies  Penalties for under-performing state factories  Price reforms  Encouragement of joint ventures with foreign companies  Leasing of farm land outside the collective farms

37. Democratization Gorbachev wanted to insert some democratic characteristics into the old Soviet structure but wanted to maintain Communist control Gorbachev wanted to insert some democratic characteristics into the old Soviet structure but wanted to maintain Communist control Reforms included: Reforms included: 1.A new Congress of People’s Deputies with directly elected representatives 2.New position of “President” that was selected by the Congress  Deputies were often critical of Gorbachev  Increasing levels of displeasure with government from Communist Party

38. Boris Yeltsin Former member of Politburo, removed because his radical views offended conservatives Former member of Politburo, removed because his radical views offended conservatives –Even more extreme than Gorbachev Elected president of Russian Republic as result of voting procedures put in place by Gorbachev Elected president of Russian Republic as result of voting procedures put in place by Gorbachev Soviet Union dissolves…attempts to create a “western-style” democracy Soviet Union dissolves…attempts to create a “western-style” democracy “Shock Therapy” economic reforms (Immediate market economy) “Shock Therapy” economic reforms (Immediate market economy) –Russian economy does not respond to “shock therapy” reforms –Conflict erupts between Yeltsin and the Duma

39. Yeltsin Poor president…hires and fires numerous prime ministers Poor president…hires and fires numerous prime ministers Alcoholic & frequently ill; this leads to erratic political behavior Alcoholic & frequently ill; this leads to erratic political behavior Resigns before the 2000 elections Resigns before the 2000 elections Vladimir Putin, Yeltsin’s prime minister, takes over and wins 2000, 2004 and 2012 elections Vladimir Putin, Yeltsin’s prime minister, takes over and wins 2000, 2004 and 2012 elections Dmitri Medvedev- hand-Picked by Putin to be pres. in 2008 Dmitri Medvedev- hand-Picked by Putin to be pres. in 2008

40. Putin and move to Authoritarianism Changed law to have president select and remove governors Changed law to have president select and remove governors Changed law to all proportional for Duma (7% threshold) Changed law to all proportional for Duma (7% threshold) Created 7 super- districts under a pres. Apppointee Created 7 super- districts under a pres. Apppointee Creation of Nashi Creation of Nashi

41. Public Policy and Current Issues Economy- steadily improved until 2007, large oil and gas reserves Economy- steadily improved until 2007, large oil and gas reserves –Down turn recently after economic sanctions were used as punishment by US and EU for the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014 –Reduction in price of oil and natural gas (2 largest exports) Foreign Policy- near abroad issues (Ukraine, Estonia, Georgia) Foreign Policy- near abroad issues (Ukraine, Estonia, Georgia) Terrorism- Beslan siege (2004), began appointment of governors Terrorism- Beslan siege (2004), began appointment of governors

42. Public Policy and Current Issues Population- dropping, encouraging people to move back to Russia and incentives to have more children Population- dropping, encouraging people to move back to Russia and incentives to have more children –In 2012 – law signed making the adoption of Russia born children by Americans illegal –In 2014 established anti-homosexuality measures making acts illegal, discrimination legal, and no recognition of same-sex relationships

43. Public Policy and Current Issues Sochi Winter Olympics 2014 – considered a failure by many western countries Sochi Winter Olympics 2014 – considered a failure by many western countries World Cup hosts in 2018 World Cup hosts in 2018 –Issues with corrupt bid for games –And racism prevalent at league matches

44. Public Policy and Current Issues Syria Syria –Vetoed UN action to refer Syria to criminal court for war crimes during civil war –Launched attacks at Syrian rebel targets in support of Syrian President Assad starting in October 2012