1. Citizens, Society, and the State
Russia
Citizens, Society, and the State

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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)

6. 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

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

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

9. 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

10. 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

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

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

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

14. 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

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

16. 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

17. 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

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

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

20. 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)

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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