Transcript United Kingdom - Bingham High School
Russia
Part 1: The Making of the Modern State
Why do we study Russia?
History of Communism (Soviet Union) & Totalitarianism Transition to Democracy Example of Illiberal Democracy Current trend to authoritarianism - Putin
Geography
Officially, the Russian Federation Largest successor state of the Soviet Union Largest country in the world (area)
17,098,242 sq mi
Spans 11 time zones
Largest European country in population
140 million
73% live in urban areas
Critical location
Between Europe, Islamic World and Asia
The Bolshevik Revolution
1 st country to base political system on Marxism 1917 Bolshevik Revolution Led by V.I. Lenin Overthrew tsarist govt Marxism-Leninism Vanguardism Democratic centralism
The Bolshevik Revolution
Discussion Question: How did Lenin’s revolution differ from what Marx envisioned?
The Bolshevik Revolution
Discussion Question: How did Lenin’s revolution differ from what Marx envisioned? Marx believed it was inevitable that in a capitalistic society, workers would eventually revolt and overthrow the bourgeoise (a socialist revolution) in order to create a classless, stateless, society BUT at the time of the Bolshevik Revolution, Russia was a backward, poorly developed and largely feudal country with a very small industrial working class Lenin saw the need for a strong leader/group to begin the revolution…and then continue as a strong state
The Bolshevik Revolution
Lenin directed industrialization and agricultural development from a centralized govt 1922 Bolsheviks formed the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) Authoritarian strains eclipsed democratic elements No competing ideologies
Stalinism (1929-1953)
Placed Communist Party at center of control Allowed no other political parties to compete Leaders identified through nomenklatura Process of party members selecting promising recruits from lower levels Central Committee, Politburo, General Secretary Collectivization & Industrialization Took land from peasants and created state run collective farms Private land ownership abolished Five Year Plan Set goals for production of heavy industry (oil, steel, electricity)
Stalinism (1929-1953)
Totalitarianism and Purges Media censorship/state control of arts Party authoritative source of truth Estimated 5% of population (millions of citizens) were executed for “treason” Attempts at De-Stalinization Nikita Khrushchev led process of reforms Rejected terror as political control Loosened censorship Restructured collective farms Reforms didn’t work - ended with Brezhnev
Gorbachev (1985-1991)
1.
2.
3.
Mikhail Gorbachev – reformer who wanted to adapt communist system to new conditions, not usher in its demise 3 Main Goals: Glasnost – political “Openness” Allowed more open discussion of issues Opened door for revolt by some republics Democratization Creation of Congress of People’s Deputies President selected by Congress Perestroika – Economic Reform Transfer of economic powers from govt to private hands and market economy
The Russian Federation: 1991 - Present
Aug 1991, “conservatives” (opposed to reform) led a coup d’etat to remove Gorbachev Failed! Stopped by protesters led by a more radical reformer, Boris Yeltsin (the elected president) Gorbachev restored to power but by Dec 1991, 11 republics declared their independence End of USSR!!
Yeltsin emerged as president of largest and most powerful republic, Russian Federation
The Russian Federation: 1991 - Present
Yeltsin’s Goal Create a western-style democracy Constitution of 1993 Shock Therapy – rapid, radical, market reform Loosened or lifted price and wage controls Privatization Vouchers Insider Privatization Rise of Oligarchs & corruption 2000 Putin won presidency… more to come
Russia
Part 2: Institutions
Political Structure
1993 Democratic Constitution…but a history of Authoritarianism Currently considered a hybrid regime: “Soft authoritarianism” Semi-authoritarian Federal system…but Asymmetric Federalism 89 regions (subnational units) 21 are ethnically non-Russian by majority (republics) Some subnational units in the federal system have greater or lesser powers than others
Political Structure
Discussion Question: it serve? Why does Russia have asymmetric federalism? What purpose does
Political Structure
Discussion Question: it serve? Why does Russia have asymmetric federalism? What purpose does To deal with ethnic/regional cleavages; an attempt to keep them from seeking independence Republics have the right to establish their own official language and have their own constitution Krais (territories) and Oblasts (provinces), aren't explicitly given this right Central govt was weak under Yelstin, so many ruled themselves almost independently
Political Structure
Putin’s Crack-Down on Regional Autonomy
Military crushed Chechen resistance
Power Vertical & Creation of Super-Districts
7 new federal districts
Appointment of Governors
Ended direct election of regional governors Headed by presidential appointee Nominated by pres, confirmed by regional legislatures
Removal of Governors Changes in Federation Council
Semi-Presidential
Hybrid that borrows from pres/parliamentary systems Strong President
Head of State – President
Vladimir Putin Directly elected – majority/2 round model Six year term* Limit of two consecutive terms Next election is March 2018
Semi-Presidential
Powers of the President Appoint PM, Cabinet & Governors Issue decrees that have force of law Dissolve the Duma Call state of emergency/impose martial law Call referendums Suspend actions of other state organs
President can be impeached BUT…
Head of Gov’t – The Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev Can be removed with 2 repeat votes of no confidence within 3 mths
Semi-Presidential
Discussion Question: What features of the Russian system make it presidential? What features make it parliamentary?
Semi-Presidential
Discussion Question: What features of the Russian system make it presidential? What features make it parliamentary?
Presidential: There’s a president (duh!) that’s directly elected (fixed election cycle) President may veto Duma legislation President may be impeached Parliamentary: PM is head of gov’t Votes of No Confidence
The Executive
Discussion Question: How does the role of the Mexican president compare to the Russian president?
RUSSIA: BOTH: MEXICO:
The Executive
Discussion Question: How does the role of the Mexican president compare to the Russian president?
• • • • •
RUSSIA:
Limited to 2 consecutive terms Head of State only Election is 2 round model Weak check of power by legislative branch Can dissolve Duma • • • • • •
BOTH:
Directly elected 6 year terms Power has been unchecked by judiciary Power of appointments Power of decree Power to remove governors • • • •
MEXICO:
Sexenio – no re election Head of State and Head of Gov’t Election is simple majority (plurality) Starting to be challenged by legislature (Congress)
A Bicameral Legislature
Weak check on executive power Duma – Lower House 450 Deputies (only about 13% women) Selected by Proportional Representation (party list)*
elections!) (changed in 2007 from mixed; NOTE: Will change back to Mixed in 2016
5 year terms** Powers Passes bills Approves budget Confirms president’s appointments Powers are limited Pres may rule by decree Duma’s attempts to reject prime ministers have failed
A Bicameral Legislature
Federation Council – Upper House Represents regions 2 members from each of 89 federal subunits 1 chosen by governor of each region, other by regional legislature*
(but remember…who appoints governors??)
Powers Mostly delay bills (Duma overrides with 2/3 vote) Approve presidential appointees and presidential decrees relating to martial law and states emergencies May change boundaries among republics, ratify use of armed forces outside country, and appoint & remove judges
The Judiciary & Rule of Law
Constitutional Court 19 members, appointed by President, approved by Federation Council Judicial review BUT…Court tries not to confront Presidency Resolves conflicts regarding constitutionality of federal/regional laws & jurisdictional disputes between institutions Pres, 1/5 of either house, citizens may request court to look at case Supreme Court Final court of appeals in criminal/civil cases Does NOT have power of judicial review
The Judiciary & Rule of Law
Rule of Law Putin initiated law reform – jury trials Procedural codes for criminal and civil rights BUT… Movement toward rule of law continues to be blocked by corruption Security police continue to operate autonomously Trials of oligarchs indicate courts still under political control of Putin Corruption Survey Results At least ½ of population involved in corruption daily Bribes for auto permits, school enrollment, proper health care and favorable court rulings
The Military
Source of Soviet strength during Cold War Under Russian Federation historically weak and not a force Showed some signs of strengthening (Georgia) Importance has been elevated with invasion of Ukraine
Linkage Institutions – Overview
Linkage Institutions – still not strong in Russia Political Parties Historically unstable…why?
No strong opposing political parties to dominating party State Corporatism State determines which groups have input into policymaking Weak civil society means interest groups have no solid footing Media Some privately owned, but state controlled Ranks 140 th out of 178 in terms of press freedom
Linkage Institutions – Political Parties
Dominant Party System A party system in which one large party directs the political system, but small parties exist and may compete in elections United Russia Founded in April 2001 as merger of Fatherland All-Russia Party & Unity Party of Russia Hard to define ideology – Pro Putin
Political Party
United Russia Communist party of the RF Liberal Democratic Party A Just Russia
Seats (2011 Duma Elections)
238 92 56 64
Linkage Institutions
Discussion Question: How does United Russia dominate?
Linkage Instiutions
Discussion Question: How does United Russia dominate?
Putin!
Political machine that generates persuasive incentives for regional elites Heads of Russian regions use their influence to bolster party’s votes (Pres appoints governors, remember?) Election and political party requirements limit opposition Parties have to include regional representatives on list Parties must have affiliates in more than half of regions, with a certain # of registered members in these regions Choice of deputies on list must reflect strength of vote in region Legally registered party 7% threshold for Duma representation
Linkage Institutions – Political Parties
The Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) Formed from Communist party of Soviet Union Strongest opposition party to United Russia Less reformist than other parties Emphasizes centralized planning and nationalism Implies intention to regain territories lost when USSR broke apart Supported by older Russians, economically disadvantaged and rural residents
Linkage Institutions – Political Parties
Liberal Democratic Party Misnomer!
Vladimir Zhirinovsky – extreme nationalist Anti-Western Nuclear threats against Japan, anti-Semitic, sexist Strongest support from working-class men and military
Linkage Institutions – Political Parties
A Just Russia Formed in 2006 – merger (Motherland People’s Patriotic Union/Party of Pensioners/Party of Life) Led by Speaker of Federation Council Sergei Mironov Left of United Russia Opposition in name only Supported Presidents Putin and Medvedev “We are the party of the working man”
Linkage Institutions? Oligarchs, Media & Mafia
Oligarchs Wealthy elite that monopolized industries after privatization At one point controlled over ½ of Russian GNP Oil industry, media Backed Yeltsin, but Putin now resisting their control Mafia Controls underworld crime Gained power after Revolution of 1991
Russia
Part 3: Citizens, Society, and the State
Social Cleavages -Nationality
Biggest Cleavage is Nationality 80% are Russian Tatar = 3.8% (Muslim) Ukrainian = 2% Bashkir = 1.2% Chuvash = 1.1% Other = 12.1% Because of structure of federation, ethnicity tends to be coinciding with region and often religion too Russkii vs Rossiiskii Chechnya - primary Muslim region has fought for independence
Social Cleavages -Nationality
Social Cleavages - Religion
Most ethnic Russians identify themselves as Russian Orthodox, but are largely nonreligious Other religions are represented in small percentages Muslims, Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish Recent rapid rise in Muslim share of population Moscow (laborers) The Caucasus (area between Black & Caspian Seas) Includes Chechens Very unstable region Bashkortostan and Tatarstan
Social Cleavages – Other
Social Class In USSR – Communist party members (elite) vs. non-members Modern times – small class of really rich (started with Oligarchs) vs working class (middle class small by Western standards) Rural/Urban 73% now live in cities, mostly in west More likely to be well educated and more in touch with western values
Political Culture
Deference to authority Tradition of personalistic authority Highly centralized leadership Mistrust of Government Most of population historically alienated from political system Subjects rather than participants Statism and Collectivist tendencies Expect the state to take an active role in their lives Collectivism/egalitarianism – distrust those who get ahead Desire for order/stability Even at expense of personal freedom
Political Culture
Discussion Question:
answer?
In Russia, when a contestant on the show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” asks the audience for help, the audience usually gives the incorrect answer. Based on your understanding of Russian political culture/cultural values, WHY do you think they give the wrong
Political Culture
Discussion Question:
answer?
In Russia, when a contestant on the show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” asks the audience for help, the audience usually gives the incorrect answer. Based on your understanding of Russian political culture/cultural values, WHY do you think they give the wrong
Because of Collectivist value, they distrust anyone who gets ahead, especially those who try to “get rich on the backs of the audience members”
Political Culture
Slavophile vs. Westerner
Slavophile: Nationalism Defense of Russian interests/Slavic culture Strong military Reject western values Against integration Westerner: Reformers Want integration Open to western values
Putin’s supporters tend to be ________________.
Political Participation
Voting: Voting 100% under USSR (compulsory) Presidential Elections: 2008 around 70%, 2012 65%* Civil Society Slowly started to emerge since 1991 Under Putin many obstacles: Registration, reporting requirements, gov’t supervision 2007 restricting of use of public demonstrations and protests The Other Russia Opposition Movement
Political Participation
Russian Youth Groups Created by Putin Nashi (largest), Youth Guard and Locals Part of an effort to build a following of loyal, patriotic, young people (diffuse youthful resistance) Organize mass marches and demonstrations
Political Participation
Propaganda