1. Evolution of the Russian State

2. Vladimir Lenin Leader of Bolshevik Revolution (1917) Leader of Bolshevik Revolution (1917) Marxism-Leninism Marxism-Leninism –Argued that a party of professional revolutionaries was needed to lead the proletariat (working class) in overthrowing the bourgeoisie (upper class) –He termed this the “revolutionary vanguard”

3. Stalinism Stalin placed Communist Party (CPSU) at center of control Stalin placed Communist Party (CPSU) at center of control Leaders identified through nomenklatura Leaders identified through nomenklatura Central Committee: 300 party/govt. leaders Central Committee: 300 party/govt. leaders Politburo: group of 12 men from the Central Committee who ran the country Politburo: group of 12 men from the Central Committee who ran the country –All government agencies under their control General Secretary: head of the Politburo, “dictator” of the country General Secretary: head of the Politburo, “dictator” of the country –Stalin was General Secretary from 1927–1953

4. Sovereignty, Authority, and Power in USSR Authority in Soviet Union came from the Politburo of the Communist Party (CPSU) Authority in Soviet Union came from the Politburo of the Communist Party (CPSU) –Politburo – center of policy-making power in USSR Nomenklatura – Soviet system of lists that facilitated the CPSU’s appointment of trusted people to key positions Nomenklatura – Soviet system of lists that facilitated the CPSU’s appointment of trusted people to key positions –ex.) Politburo members

5. Stalinism II Collectivization & Industrialization Collectivization & Industrialization –“Collective farms” –Private land ownership abolished Five-Year Plans: ambitious goals for production of heavy industry, such as oil, steel, and electricity Five-Year Plans: ambitious goals for production of heavy industry, such as oil, steel, and electricity –Quotas + plans directed production + distribution

6. Mikhail Gorbachev Took over as General Secretary in the mid-1980’s Took over as General Secretary in the mid-1980’s Educated and more “westernized” than previous Soviet leaders Educated and more “westernized” than previous Soviet leaders Initiated a wave of reforms: Initiated a wave of reforms: –Glasnost –Perestroika –Demokratizatsiia

7. Glasnost – “Openness” Open discussion of political, social, and economic issues Open discussion of political, social, and economic issues Allowed for open criticism of government and government policies Allowed for open criticism of government and government policies –1 st time this allowed in USSR Gorbachev stressed improving the economic well-being of the country and it’s people: Gorbachev stressed improving the economic well-being of the country and it’s people: –Open market relations –Pragmatic economic policy –Less secretive government

8. Perestroika – “Restructuring” Economic Restructuring Economic Restructuring –Transferred economic power from central government to private hands and market economy –Authorized privately owned companies –Reforms of price controls –Foreign investment Allowed group formation in civil society (voluntary associations, etc.) Allowed group formation in civil society (voluntary associations, etc.)

9. Demokratizatsiia Gorbachev wanted to insert some democratic characteristics into the old Soviet structure Gorbachev wanted to insert some democratic characteristics into the old Soviet structure However, he DID want to maintain Communist Party control However, he DID want to maintain Communist Party control Reforms included: Reforms included: 1.A new Congress of People’s Deputies with directly elected representatives 2.New position of “President” that was selected by the Congress

10. Buildup to the Breakup Ethnic and national demands for self- determination contributed significantly to the instability of the Soviet Union in the late 1980’s Ethnic and national demands for self- determination contributed significantly to the instability of the Soviet Union in the late 1980’s Republics began calling for independence Republics began calling for independence http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/797223 2.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/797223 2.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/797223 2.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/797223 2.stm

11. Effect of Gorbachev’s Reforms The Soviet government’s legitimacy diminished as inefficiency and corruption were publicly acknowledged The Soviet government’s legitimacy diminished as inefficiency and corruption were publicly acknowledged Increased autonomy of the republics Increased autonomy of the republics Enhanced the role of the President Enhanced the role of the President Reduced power of the CPSU Reduced power of the CPSU Strengthened powers of the legislature Strengthened powers of the legislature

12. Revolution of 1991 Coup d'état led by “Conservatives” (those opposed to Gorbachev’s reforms) Coup d'état led by “Conservatives” (those opposed to Gorbachev’s reforms) –Vice-president –Head of the KGB –Top military advisers Coup failed when popular protests erupted and soldiers defected rather than kill protesters Coup failed when popular protests erupted and soldiers defected rather than kill protesters –Protesters led by Boris Yeltsin, president of the Russian Republic

13. Dissolution Gorbachev restored to power, but by December 1991 eleven Soviet republics had declared their independence Gorbachev restored to power, but by December 1991 eleven Soviet republics had declared their independence Soon, Gorbachev officially announced dissolution of Soviet Union and his resignation Soon, Gorbachev officially announced dissolution of Soviet Union and his resignation

14. Boris Yeltsin Former member of Politburo, removed because his radical views offended conservatives Former member of Politburo, removed because his radical views offended conservatives –Even more extreme than Gorbachev Emerged as president of Russian Federation after Soviet Union dissolved Emerged as president of Russian Federation after Soviet Union dissolved Attempted to create a “western-style” democracy Attempted to create a “western-style” democracy Weakened power of CPRF Weakened power of CPRF

15. 1993 Constitution President granted significant power over other institutions President granted significant power over other institutions –Ex.) Allows the President to disband the Parliament

16. “Shock Therapy” economic reforms (early 1990s) Attempt to immediately transition to market economy (privatization) Attempt to immediately transition to market economy (privatization) –Eliminated price controls, sold off all state- owned enterprises –Created “oligarchs” – wealthy individuals who profited greatly by buying up SOEs

17. Effects of “Shock Therapy” Reforms failed Reforms failed –1990–1995: 50% decline of GDP and industrial output –Drop in birth rate, increase in death rate –Increase in unemployment + poverty rates Conflict between Yeltsin and the Duma Conflict between Yeltsin and the Duma Chechen independence movement further destabilized Russia Chechen independence movement further destabilized Russia

19. Yeltsin II Poor president Poor president Alcoholic & frequently ill; this led to erratic political behavior Alcoholic & frequently ill; this led to erratic political behavior Resigned before the 2000 elections Resigned before the 2000 elections Vladimir Putin, Yeltsin’s prime minister, took over and won the 2000 & 2004 elections Vladimir Putin, Yeltsin’s prime minister, took over and won the 2000 & 2004 elections

21. Vladimir Putin

22. Putin Fishing

23. Putin with Dog

24. Chechnya Desires independence Desires independence 94% are Sunni Muslims 94% are Sunni Muslims Seen by many Russians as responsible for recent terrorist attacks Seen by many Russians as responsible for recent terrorist attacks

25. Putin in Power 1999 – Used force to put down Chechen rebellion 1999 – Used force to put down Chechen rebellion Extensive media freedom under Yeltsin has been significantly curtailed under Putin Extensive media freedom under Yeltsin has been significantly curtailed under Putin –Many journalists have been beaten, others killed

26. Changes to the Structure of Politics/Government Governors used to be popularly elected Governors used to be popularly elected –Now essentially chosen by president Changed the electoral system Changed the electoral system –Duma elections used to be half proportional, half single-member-district winner-take-all  Now entirely proportional  Threshold for eligibility to win seats was raised from 5% to 7% –Meant to prevent reformers from winning seats Half of Federation Council appointed by president Half of Federation Council appointed by president

27. Putin vs. the Oligarchs Oligarchs – business and political leaders with immense wealth and influence Oligarchs – business and political leaders with immense wealth and influence Vladimir Putin has attempted to contain the oligarch’s influence Vladimir Putin has attempted to contain the oligarch’s influence –Centralization of power in President –Movement towards authoritarian rule –Unpredictability of Russia (No experience with democracy and free market economy) –Slavic roots provide strong tendency to autocratic rule Mikhail Khodorkovsky Mikhail Khodorkovsky