1. AP COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS Dr. Afxendiou
RUSSIA OVERVIEW
AP COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Dr. Afxendiou

2. Political Culture
Russians want a strong state that can protect them – statism (in contrast to a strong civil society). Russians expect the state to take an active role in their lives. Citizens see themselves as subjects to their political system rather than participants in it.
Russians favor EQUALITY OF RESULT not equality of opportunity – so the culture is not conducive to capitalism

3. 1991 – Russian Federation
1993 Constitution created 3 branch government with a president, a prime minister, the Duma (lower legislative house), and a constitutional court
2008 amendment – presidential term extended to 6 years

4. Political Institutions
The Russian Federation has a FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE
But not all regions have equal powers, some are stronger than others, so the RF is said to have ASYMMETRIC FEDERALISM
Some regions attempted to gain independence from Russia but Putin cracked down on regional autonomy
Chechnya was bombed into submission

5. Political Institutions
Other ways Putin restricted the powers of regions and added to his control
Creation of super-districts: Russia was divided into 7 federal districts headed by a person appointed by the president (Putin) who supervises all local authorities
Removal of governors: a law was passed that allows the president to remove from office a governor who refuses to conform local law to the national constitution
Appointment of governors by president: a law passed in 2004 ended the direct election of governors. Instead they are nominated by the president and confirmed by regional legislatures
Elimination of single-member-district seats in the Duma: Under old rules half of the 450 seats were elected by single-member-districts and the other half by proportional representation law initiated by Putin made proportional representation the only system for the Duma thus eliminating candidates that were regionally popular.

6. Linkage Institutions Political Parties Interest groups
Highly unstable and fluid, usually linked to a personality (the founder). Party loyalty did not develop, the relationships are personalistic
Interest groups
Very weak as civil society is very weak
Subject to STATE CORPORATISM – the state determines which groups have input into policymaking

7. Government Institutions
1993 Constitution established the structure of the government
Semi-presidential system – combines presidential and parliamentary systems
The executive (president-Putin) dominates all other branches
President is HEAD OF STATE but the position is not ceremonial, it holds real power
President is directly elected by the people for a 6 year term

8. Government Institutions
Powers of the President
Appoint prime minister and cabinet – the Duma must approve the PM’s appointment but if they reject it 3 times the president can dissolve the Duma
Issue decrees that have the force of law – the Duma cannot censure these actions. The only action they have a say over is the appointment of the PM
Dissolve the Duma
There is no vice president. In case of the president’s death or resignation the PM becomes acting president

9. Government Institutions
Legislature
Bicameral
Duma – lower house deputies selected by PR
Passes bills
Approves the budget
Confirms president’s political appointments
Federation Council – 2 members from each of the 89 federal administrative units. Since 2002, 1 representative is selected by the governor and another by the regional legislature
Represents the region, not the population
Only power to delay legislation; if it rejects a legislation the Duma can override it with a 2/3 vote

10. Government Institutions
Judiciary
Constitutional Court created by 1993 Constitution
19 members appointed by president and confirmed by Federation Council
Supreme Court – also created by 1993 Constitution
Final court of appeals in criminal and civil cases

11. Elections For the Duma 450 seats Proportional representation (2007)
Parties must get at least 7% (was 5% before 2007) of the total vote to get any seats according to PR (Putin argued for this saying that the new rules would reduce the number of parties in the Duma and make policymaking more efficient)

12. Elections Presidential Elections m
2 rounds if there is no clear majority the first time
2001 law restricts the rights of small regional parties to run presidential candidates m