1. Russia Section 3

2. Organization of the State By 2005, the new constitution had acquired legitimacyBy 2005, the new constitution had acquired legitimacy Tension in the governmentTension in the government –Increased in 1991 and 1993 between the federal and subnational government –Executive vs. legislature –President vs. prime minister –Corruption: poor salaries and lack of professionalism in the civil service

3. The Soviet State Before Gorbachev’s reformsBefore Gorbachev’s reforms –Hierarchical structure –Uncontested elections –Politburo has real power –The central committee represented a broader range of political leaders –State Bureaucracy NomenklaturaNomenklatura Parliament was a rubber-stamp bodyParliament was a rubber-stamp body –Candidates chosen by CPSU and ran uncontested in each district The Constitution was symbolic rather than operational because many of its principals were ignoredThe Constitution was symbolic rather than operational because many of its principals were ignored The Soviet Union designated a federal system where certain powers were granted to the 15 union republicsThe Soviet Union designated a federal system where certain powers were granted to the 15 union republics

4. The New Russian State Political institutions begin to change in the Russian RepublicPolitical institutions begin to change in the Russian Republic –A new post of president was created –In 1991 Boris Yeltsin was elected –In 1993 the new Russian constitution was adopted by referendum

5. The Executive –Semi presidential structure –President is head of state –oversees foreign policy, relations with regions, and organs of state security Directly elected every six years, limit of two consecutive termsDirectly elected every six years, limit of two consecutive terms Impeachment is complicatedImpeachment is complicated Can call a state of emergency, impose martial law, create pardons, call referenda, temporarily suspend actions of other state organsCan call a state of emergency, impose martial law, create pardons, call referenda, temporarily suspend actions of other state organs Can issue decreesCan issue decrees –Considered law until legislative vote

6. Prime Minister Russian Govt is headed by the prime ministerRussian Govt is headed by the prime minister Appointed by President, (approved by parliament (the State Duma), is head of government Focus’s on the economy and related issuesAppointed by President, (approved by parliament (the State Duma), is head of government Focus’s on the economy and related issues Varying number of vice prime ministersVarying number of vice prime ministers Can be removed by two repeat votes of no confidence, passed between a three month periodCan be removed by two repeat votes of no confidence, passed between a three month period

7. The National Bureaucracy Efforts to downsize bureaucracy have been only partially successfulEfforts to downsize bureaucracy have been only partially successful Presidential administration serves the president directlyPresidential administration serves the president directly The State Legal Office reviews all legislation before the president signs itThe State Legal Office reviews all legislation before the president signs it –2,000 employees The president has created various advisory bodiesThe president has created various advisory bodies –security council advises the president in areas related to foreign policy and security –The state council has a consultative role but without giving regional executives any power –Ministers (other than the prime minister) do not require parliamentary approval Patron-client networks: a patron gives resources to the client in hopes of getting, money, labor, and/or support in returnPatron-client networks: a patron gives resources to the client in hopes of getting, money, labor, and/or support in return

8. The Military and Security Organs Widespread cynicism about the honestly of the police (militisiia)Widespread cynicism about the honestly of the police (militisiia) –Many believe that payoffs by the mafia, and ordinary citizens can buy police cooperation In the post communist period, political power and prestige of the military has declined radically.In the post communist period, political power and prestige of the military has declined radically. The Russian Federation still requires all men to sign up for the draftThe Russian Federation still requires all men to sign up for the draft

9. The Judiciary In 1991 a constitutional court was formedIn 1991 a constitutional court was formed Justices are nominated by the president and approved by the federations councilJustices are nominated by the president and approved by the federations council The federal council must approve nominees for the supreme courtThe federal council must approve nominees for the supreme court

10. Subnational Government The federal structure includes 83 unitsThe federal structure includes 83 units –21 republics –49 oblasts –6 krais –10 autonomous okrugs –One autonomous oblasts –Two cities with federal status In theory the constitution grants equal status to all 39 units, republics however have been given some special rightsIn theory the constitution grants equal status to all 39 units, republics however have been given some special rights Asymmetrical federalism: giving different regions varying privilegesAsymmetrical federalism: giving different regions varying privileges Other reforms to the federal system have been stronger measures to strengthen the “power vertical”Other reforms to the federal system have been stronger measures to strengthen the “power vertical” -Strengthening government structures from executive power from the highest level to the lower levels The creation of seven federal districts, known as Super RegionsThe creation of seven federal districts, known as Super Regions Governor's elected by popular electionGovernor's elected by popular election

11. Policy Making Process Federal government proposes most legislationFederal government proposes most legislation Various legislation may be involved in the drafting of legislationVarious legislation may be involved in the drafting of legislation In 2000, the president formed the entrepreneurship council to solicit input from the business eliteIn 2000, the president formed the entrepreneurship council to solicit input from the business elite For a bill to become a law:For a bill to become a law: –Must be approved by both houses in three readings and signed by the president –If the president vetoes the bill it must be passed again by two thirds majority of both houses in parliament in order to override the vet Budgetary proposals put forth only by the governmentBudgetary proposals put forth only by the government Yeltsin suffered logjamYeltsin suffered logjam Many policy proclamations are made by presidential or governmental decrees without formal consultation of the legislative branchMany policy proclamations are made by presidential or governmental decrees without formal consultation of the legislative branch A continuing problem is the inefficiency of policy implementationA continuing problem is the inefficiency of policy implementation