Civil Society in Russia Christos Mouzakitis, Rahima Khatun, Donald Tran, and Junaid Esa Saleh

What is a Civil Society? The way citizens organize and define themselves and their interests The way citizens organize and define themselves and their interests Includes religious groups, social organizations, and charities Includes religious groups, social organizations, and charities Success depends on rule of law, respect for others, and honest performance of duties Success depends on rule of law, respect for others, and honest performance of duties

Open Civil Society

Aim: To what extent is Russia’s civil society open? How do civil society and interest groups in Russia compare with civil society and interest groups in other countries?

Beliefs & Attitudes Transition from Marxism to Stalinism Transition from Marxism to Stalinism Mistrust of the government Mistrust of the government Statism Statism Westernization Westernization

Political Participation 100% voter turnout during Soviet rule 100% voter turnout during Soviet rule Emergence of competitive elections Emergence of competitive elections Non-violent protests Non-violent protests

Voter Turnout in Russia YearPercent Turnout % % % Average59.83%

Voter Turnout in Britain YearPercent Turnout % % % Average62.17%

Voter Turnout in Mexico YearPercent Turnout % % % Average48.40%

Civil Society in Russia Relatively undeveloped Relatively undeveloped Dominated by state corporatism Dominated by state corporatism Glasnost led to growth of civil society Glasnost led to growth of civil society Restrictions placed by the government Restrictions placed by the government

Nashi Youth Groups (3:00-5:43)

The Orthodox Church

Interest Group System Only allowed under state corporatism and controlled by the government Only allowed under state corporatism and controlled by the government Declining influence of oligarchs on policymaking Declining influence of oligarchs on policymaking Government has established vast, state- owned holding companies Government has established vast, state- owned holding companies Insider privatization Insider privatization

The Russian Mafia (0:00-0:37)

Genuine Pluralism? Interest Group Pluralism: when autonomous groups compete with each other and with government for influence over state policies Interest Group Pluralism: when autonomous groups compete with each other and with government for influence over state policies To what extent does Russia exhibit genuine pluralism? How does this compare with British pluralism? To what extent does Russia exhibit genuine pluralism? How does this compare with British pluralism?