1. Can you name the Russian/Soviet leaders of the 20th century?
*Information in this presentation adapted from “Comparative Government and Politics” by Ethel Wood.

2. Lenin, Stalin, Krushchev

3. Kruschev, Brezhnev, Andropov

4. Chernenko, Gorbachev, Yeltsin, Putin

5. Introduction to Russia
The Superpowers
Politburo
Nomenklatura
Russian Federation

6. The Sources of Public Authority and political power
20th century public authority and political power emanated from one place: the Politburo of the Communist Party.
Today’s new government structure has questionable legitimacy

7. Legitimacy
Marxism-Leninism provided the legitimacy base for the party, with its ideology of democratic centralism, or rule by a few for the benefit of the many.
Stalinism changed the regime to totalitarianism, a more complete, invasive form of strong-man rule than the tsars ever were able to implement.
The reformers: Nikita Khrushchev and Mikhail Gorbachev
Constitution of 1993
2000 presidential transition from Yeltsin to Putin

8. Historical legacies
Several legacies from Russian history shape the modern political system:
Absolute, centralized rule
Extensive cultural heterogeneity
Slavophile v. westernizer
Revolutions of the 20th century

9. Political Culture Geographical Setting Eastern Orthodoxy
Russia's political culture has been shaped by its geographic setting, cultural orientation, and conflicting attitudes toward the state.
Geographical Setting
Eastern Orthodoxy
Equality of result
Hostility toward the Government
The importance of nationality

10. Map of Russia

11. Political Change History categorized by three distinct periods:
A long period of autocratic rule by tsars
20th century rule by the Communist Party
Abrupt regime change to democracy and a free market in 1991

12. Tsarist Rule
Western Influence
19th century tsars

13. Revolution of 1917 – Lenin and Stalin
Lenin and the Bolsheviks
Stalinism
Collectivism and Industrialization
Stalin’s foreign policy
The Purges

14. Reforms under Khruschev and Gorbachev
De-Stalinization
“peaceful co-existence”
Brezhnev
Gorbachev

15. Glasnost
This term translates from the Russian as "openness," and it allowed more open discussion of political, social and economic issues as well as open criticism of the government. Although this reform was applauded by western nations, it caused many problems for Gorbachev. After so many years of repression, people vented hostility toward the government that encouraged open revolt, particularly among some of the republics that wanted independence from Soviet control.

16. Democratization
Gorbachev believed that he could keep the old Soviet structure, including Communist Party control, but at the same time insert a little democracy into the system.
Two such moves included the creation of
1) a new Congress of People's Deputies with directly elected representatives and
2) a new position of "President" that was selected by the Congress.
The reforms did bring a bit of democracy. However, many of the new deputies were critical of Gorbachev, increasing the level of discord within the government.

17. Perestroika
This economic reform was Gorbachev's most radical, and also his least successful. Again, he tried to keep the old Soviet structure, and modernize from within.
Transferred many economic powers held by the central government to private hands and the market economy.
Specific reforms included authorization of some privately owned companies, penalties for underperforming state factories, leasing of farm land outside the collective farms, price reforms, and encouragement of joint ventures with foreign companies.

18. Failed Coup and the Revolution of 1991
Popular protests
Yeltsin
Independence of Republics

19. Russian Federation 1991-present
Constitution of 1993
Duma
Constitutional Council
President
“Shock Therapy”

20. Society and Politics
Religion
Social Class
Rural v. Urban

21. Citizen and State Beliefs and attitudes Mistrust of the government
Statism
Economic beliefs
westernization

22. Political Participation
Voting close to 100% during Soviet Rule
Until Gorbachev elections were not competitive
Duma Elections lower turnout

23. Political Framework Federal government structure Eighty-nine regions
“republics”
Centralized federation

24. Parties Parties often revolve around leaders
Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF)
Unity
Yabloko
Union of Right Forces
Fatherland – All Russia
Liberal Democrats

25. Elections
The Russian political system supports three types of national votes:
Referendum
Duma Elections
Presidential elections

26. Interest Groups
Interest groups were not formally allowed in the Soviet Union.
Market capitalism suddenly replaced centralized economic control in 1991.
Those that bought the state-owned industries were generally insiders (members of the nomenclatura) who have since become quite wealthy.
This collection of oligarchs may be defined loosely as an interest group because they have been a major influence on the policy-making process during the formative years of the Russian Federation.

27. The Oligarchy Boris Berezovsky
Putin has shown some resistance to oligarchic control.
Gusinsky
Both Berezovsky and Gusinsky are now in exile, but they still have close political and economic connections in Russia.

28. The Russian Mafia
Interest group controls much more than underworld crime.
Like the oligarchs, they gained control during the chaotic time after the Revolution of 1991, and they control local businesses, natural resources, and banks.
In Russia's past, lawlessness has been dealt with by repressive, authoritarian rule, and these groups represent a major threat to the survival of the new democracy.

29. Government Institutions
President and Prime Minister
Bicameral Legislature
Duma
Federation Council
The Judiciary
The Military

30. Public Policy and Current Issues
The Economy
Foreign Affairs
Civil Society

31. Terms to know Bosheviks Chechnya Collectivization
Nomenklatura
Oligarchy
Politburo
Putin
“shock therapy”
Slavophile
Stalinism
Totalitarianism
Tsars
Yabloko
Yeltisin
Bosheviks
Chechnya
Collectivization
Democratic centralism
Duma
Federation Council
Five Year Plans
General secretary
Kulaks
Marxism
Mensheviks
*Information in the above presentation adapted from “Comparative Government and Politics” by Ethel Wood.