Citizens, Society, and the State Russia Citizens, Society, and the State

Cleavages: greatly impact policymaking Nationality 80% Russian Tatars Ukrainians Armenians Chuvashes Bashkis Byelorussians Moldavians

Nationality Federation with autonomous regions Independence v. trade Chechnya Muslim state Wants independence Terrorist attacks: Belsan school Concern for Gov’t: how? referendum was held to cote on a new constitution for Chechnya Approved…but did not grant independence

Religion Tsarist rule Soviet Union Yeltsin Today: Russian Orthodox Prohibited practice of religion Yeltsin Encouraged Russian Orthodox church to reestablish itself Today: Mix of people

Religion 2007 Other religions are represented (see chart page 112) Russian Church abroad reunites with ROC Putin meet with RCA Encouraged them to return Moscow still retained ultimate authority Other religions are represented (see chart page 112)

Rise of the Muslim population Moscow: migrant laborers Caucasus: hot spot for trouble Chechens Biggest issue for Putin Bashkortostan and Tatarstan: work with Putin Help with diplomatic missions to Middle East

Social Class Members of the Communist party v. nonmembers 7% were party members Political leaders Economic favors Egalitarian and nomenklatura Today more egalitarian

Social Class Entrepreneur Class 1997 bust Yeltsin’s contribution Sponsored Putin?? Now under fire for alleged illegal activities Vladimir Gusinsky Boris Berezovsky Mikhail Khodorkovsky

Rural v. Urban Industrialization Divide is great 73% Russians live in urban areas Well educated Western culture Divide is great Unclear affects on political climate

Beliefs and Attitudes Mistrust of the Government Support democratic ideals Do not trust gov’t to convert ideas Low level of participation Interest groups, trade unions Putin is the exception Others do not share this popularity

Beliefs and Attitudes Statism Take an active role in lives Subjects v. participants Disappointment in progress

Beliefs and Attitudes Economic beliefs Westernization “Good old days” Market transition Rapid: privatization and limited government regulation Westernization Slavophile vs. westernizer “Good old days”

Political Participation Soviet Era Mandatory Candidates chosen for you Since 1991 Duma 1993: 50.3% 2003: 56% Presidential 1991: 75% 2004: 65%

Civil Society Undeveloped 1980’s slowly emerged Gov’t restrictions Most do not belong to a group 1980’s slowly emerged Many groups formed to express views Environment Ethnicity Gender Human rights Health care Gov’t restrictions

Youth groups Effort to build a: Nashi Loyal following Patriotic young people Defuse possible rebellion Nashi “transmission belt”

Linkage institutions: Parties United Russia Founded 2001 Boris Berezovsky 2000: Supported Putin 2003 221 Duma Seats 2004 Putin won 74% of vote for president No competition

Linkage Institution: Parties The Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) 2nd largest Re-incarnation of the Communist Party of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic Formed in 1990 as an anti-perestroika organization within CPSU and suspended by Yeltsin for support of August 1991 coup in 1991

Linkage institutions: Parties Reformist Parties Yabloko United of Right Forces Fair Russia In jeopardy of disappearing

Linkage institutions: Parties Most controversial Vladimir Zhirinovsky Use of nuclear weapons Anti Semitic Sexist 2003: 37 seats in Duma

Elections: Supports three types Referendum National ballot on a policy or issue Constitution 1993 Chechnya 2003 Duma Elections 450 seats Two rounds Presidential Elections Two round model (unless you capture a majority the first round)

Interest Groups Oligarchy State Corporatism Russian Mafia Corruption: determining elections Putin v. Oligarchs State Corporatism Est. vast companies Too independent or too rich (insider privation) Russian Mafia Controls underground crime “protection money”; money laundering; deals with gov’t Murdered: bankers, journalists, businessmen, members of Duma The Russian Media Privately owned Gov’t regulations

Institution of Government Head of Government (President) Dominates the prime Minister Direct election by voters (4 year terms) Powers: Appoint Prime Minister and cabinet Issue decrees that have the force of law Dissolve Duma Head of State (Prime Minister) If president dies Prime Minister takes over Usually career bureaucrats Chosen because of expertise; loyalty to president

Institution of Government: Duma 450: ½ from proportional representation; ½ from single member districts Powers: Pass bills Approves budget Confirms the presidents political appointments Limited by president:; rule by decree

Institution of Government: Duma Federation Council 89 members Selected by the governor of each region Power to delay legislation May be override by 2/3 vote in Duma Judiciary Constitutional Court 19 members appointed by president and confirmed by Federation Council Supreme Court Serve as final court of appeal in criminal and civil cases