1. From Soviet to Russia

2. Russia: Background Historical journey spans Monarchy (czars) Bolshevism (Lenin) Dictatorship (Stalin) De-Stalinization (Kruschev) Entrenched communism (Brezhnev) Internal struggles for control/direction Broad-based social/political/economic reforms (Gorbachev) Democratic struggles for power (Yeltsin) Consolidation of power in Presidency (Putin)

3. Linkages Feudal Monarchy -- powerful czar, police apparatus, loyal bureaucracy Communism -- democratic centralism, vanguard party Stalinism -- Totalitarian rule Democracy -- Regime change, instability, uncertainty -- Limited experience

4. Questions for the New Regime Will Putin be able to strengthen and stabilize the Russian state? Will the regime gain more legitimacy and become more democratic? Can Putin build stronger and more broadly accepted institutions if the economy founders? How will Russia adjust to its new international role (lingering military influence; dwindling economic influence)?

5. USSR

6. Humor An economist ran a contest to name the new Democratic Republic; among the finalists: RELICS – Republics Left in Total Chaos PITS – Post-Imperial Total Shambles COMA – Confederation of Mutual Antagonism (its people would be “commies”) UFFR – Union of Fewer and Fewer Republics

7. Back in the USSR …