1. Society
Russia

2. How do people participate independently of the government?
Russia
intro
How do people participate independently of the government?

3. Civil Society
Russia

4. Russia Civil Society Civil Society
Before the 1917 Revolution, civil society was weak
Authoritarianism, feudalism, and low economic development prevented it from developing among people
After the Revolution, any civil society that did exist came under the control of the Communist Party
The Party should represent the “correct” interests of the population
Corporatist institutions were created to link the people back to the party

5. Russia Civil Society Civil Society
Began to reemerge slowly after glasnost
The first independent group was a fan club of a Moscow soccer team in 1987
After 1991, civil society grew dramatically. Many groups filled gaps left in the aftermath of one party rule.
Under Putin, groups have come under state pressure and even control
Tax codes, registration requirements, & police harassment are all tools of state

6. Russia Civil Society Civil Society
After 2006, all NGOs have to be approved by the government
Their funding from foreign sources is restricted heavily
They are subject to regular inspections and preapproval for any activity
Any organization that gets foreign funding has to register as a foreign agent, which allows even more state oversight

7. Russia Civil Society Religion
Soviet imposed atheism weakened the role of religion in Russia
Orthodox Christianity has grown again, especially with Russian nationalism
Other groups exist, but are restricted by the government
They cannot proselytize, build seminaries, run education programs, or publish literature without some state approval
Orthodox Christianity is reemerging as a quasi-state relgion

8. Media played huge role in the victories of both Yeltsin and Putin.
Russia
Civil Society
Media
Most radio & television outlets remained in the hands of the state, or came under the control of the oligarchs, after 1991
Media played huge role in the victories of both Yeltsin and Putin.
Putin has increased pressure on independent media, attempting to acquire many of them to end their independence
All the largest private TV stations have come under direct ownership of the state or businesses that are indirectly controlled by the state

9. In the past decade, 50 journalists have been killed in Russia
Civil Society
Media
They were not objective before, being mostly mouthpieces for the oligarchs
As more are nationalized, media is even less diverse & supports those in power
The Kremlin pressures independent newspapers to provide a pro government slant & ignore some issues
Media spreads conspiracy theories about how the US & EU are trying to destroy Russia
In the past decade, 50 journalists have been killed in Russia

10. Ethnic & National Identity
Russia

11. Russia Ethnicity Ethnicity
Dissolution of the USSR made Russia way less diverse ethnically.
80% of the population are people of Russian ethnicity
Russians are a Slavic people who share similarities with Ukrainians, Poles, Serbs, Croats, and Slovaks
There are minority groups, but none make up more than 4% of the population
These include other Slavic people, indigenous Siberians, other small groups

12. Some groups in Russia have nationalist aspirations & want independence
Nationality
Nationality
Some groups in Russia have nationalist aspirations & want independence
Non Russian populations in the Caucasus mountains outnumber Russians in the area & Islam is dominant there
Domestic terrorism has declined in recent years in Russia, but more people from this region have joined jihadist forces in Iraq and Syria

13. Russia Nationality Chechnya
Chechnya wanted independence as many other parts of the USSR got to split off and form their own nations.
This has led to outright war between Russia and Chechnya. Tens of thousands of Chechens were killed
Peace in mid 1990s let Chechnya function as a de facto independent state
The 1999 bombings were attributed to Chechen rebels & Russia invaded Chechnya again
This strong response by Russians helped lead the way for Putin’s 2000 victory

14. Ideology
Russia

15. Russia Ideology Ideology
Like the political parties, ideologies in Russia are poorly defined.
After Revolution, communism was the only viewpoint tolerated
Since 1991, more diversity of ideas exists, but they have not found ways to have impact on political life.
Surveys show that a plurality of citizens prefer state centralization and order over individual freedoms
Nationalism is increasing in part because the state advocates restoring Russia to superpower status

16. Keep knowledge here.
Russia

17. Problems with Chechnya
Main Ideas
Russia
LACK of civil society
Religion
Ethnic identity
Putin’s Pointers!
Problems with Chechnya