Russia

Stalinization “Backwardness” exposed by tragedy of WW I Capitalism crisis – global depression “Cheka” – secret police beginnings Internal party struggles – external depression and chaos in Europe

Stalinization Comintern – global socialist struggle Rapid, forced industrialization 5-Year Plans Gosplan – central command economy Command economy

Stalinization Information control – modern media – radio & film industry Nominal democratic processes Assassinations of rivals precedent – “Great Purges” – Siberian exile 20+ million civilian deaths Life of Ivan Dinisovich “Totalitarianism”

Khrushchev Era – “Thaw Period” “Peaceful Coexistence” “Kitchen Debate” – Nixon/Ike summits Soviet outreach to satellite nations – Egypt, Cuba, China Space Race – Sputnik

Khrushchev’s Demise De-Stalinization Cuba – Bay of Pigs Cuban Missile Crisis Perception of weakness change criticized Deposed in 1964 – Kennedy connection

Reagan Wins the Cold War!

Constitution of 1993 - Presidency Head of Gov’t & State Appoint the PM* Decrees – force of law Dissolve the Duma 2-term limit – 2008* Since 2004 appoints regional governors Relationship with the oligarchy/elite?

Russian Duma – Legislative Branch Bicameral Duma lower house – ½ proportional, ½ SMD Limited power to approve budget, pass bills Veto power over PM* Federation Council upper house – rubber stamp – 2 members from each of 89 regions

Russian Judiciary – “Procury” history 1991 Constitutional Court – no single judicial entity Appointed by President Emerging role – judicial review evolving? Rights enumerated 5/6 Freedom House Issues: corruption, independence, no jury concept, reverse assumption of innocence and guilt

Russian Military No clear political role – civilian control Rapid build-up – 5% limit? Nationalism NATO – defense and security concerns Border security Nuclear weapons program? Tradition of “statism”

Russia’s Recent Leaders Gorbachev – perestroika – movement away from complete command economy – infusion of capitalism Yeltsin – shock therapy – immersion into privatization, marketization, economic free-fall Putin – increased nationalization, command elements – stability – prosperity centered on oil & gas market What about Medvedev?

Political Parties Candidate/leader centered Weak, disorganized, and fluid 20+ on the ballot in Duma elections

Political Parties United Russia – Putin Communist Party (CPRF) – solid 2nd – Gennady Zyuganov – nationalism and central economic planning Yabloko (“Apple”) – pro-democratic reform (Other Russia – Gary Kasparov)

Putin’s Youth Movement?

Internal Challenges Russian media – NTV, Rossia TV, Channel One – free press or Putin control? Russia’s historical censorship v. information age Journalists’ deaths – chilling effect

Beslan School Hostage Crisis – regional governors – media

Oligarchy - Elitism

State Corporatism Government-run holding companies And/or government decisions dictating success/control “Insider privatization” Patron-client system

Economic Challenges Compressed modernity G-8 membership World Trade Organization Confederation of Independent States v. EU encroachment Oil & natural gas dependency Marketization v. state control

Druzhba Pipeline – threats and stoppages

Foreign Policy Issues Border security – renewed military commitment Iranian nukes NATO encroachment EU threat – Ukraine Military – security – Europe v. Asia threat

Corruption and Organized Crime Historical roots to Lenin era Skilled in banking, finance, and I.T. International presence growing in U.S. and Australia Relationship with Putin? Corruption Perception Index - CPI