History
He was a Russian communist revolutionary, whose theoretical contributions to Marxist thought are named after.
Vladimir Lenin
What is the federal government structure in Russia?
Asymmetrical Federalism (know what that means)
Dominant political party in Russia
United Russia
What is the name of the Lower House and the Upper House of the Russian Legislature?
Duma and Federation Council
How did Putin first become president?
Yeltsin appointed him in 1999.
This leader attempted reform in the broken USSR, including perestroika and glasnost, which eventually led to the end of the Cold War, and the downfall of the USSR.
Mikhail Gorbachev (Gorby is what I like to call him)
The term that describes the Russian expectation that the state take an active role in their lives, that citizens function more as subjects than participants, and expect great deal from government.
What is statism?
This is the second-most powerful party in Russia.
What is the Communist Party of the Russian Federation?
Half appointed by the governors (approved by State Leg.) and half appointed directly by the State Leg.
Two reasons Russia is facing a population decline.
Alcoholism
Low Birth Rate
War
For centuries, what kind of ruler have the Russians had.
Autocratic Leader
Civil Society
What are private organizations that are created by individuals and not the government. From sports clubs to interest groups, they bring people together with common interests? Civil Society is weak in Russia and organizations that question the government are undermined.
Besides United Russia and the CPRF, this nationalist party is known for outlandish views (and, at least in the U.S., it's contradictory name)
Liberal Democrats
Method used to elect the lower house of the Russian Legislature.
1/2--Proportional Representation (7% threshold)
1/2--Single-Member District (this has changed a few times over the years)
An executive office both the UK and Russia have in common, at least in name.
What is Prime Minister?
Name three revolutions that occurred in Russia in the 20th Century
1905 Revolution
1917 February/March Revolution
1917 October/Bolshevik Revolution
1991 "Revolution" (Fall of USSR)
The last time protests were tolerated, until they were not. What was the reason for the protests?
2012 and Putin's election back to the presidency. Today protests of that size are unheard of due to the repressive nature of the government.
Unlike the United Kingdom and the United States, this particular cleavage does not apply in Russia.
What is Rural-Urban? Nationality is the largest cleavage.
The Constitution of 1993 created a three-branch government. What are the names of the three branches and what are there components?
Executive: President and Prime Minister (Semi-Presidential System)
Legislature: Duma and Federation Council
Judicial: Constitutional Court and Supreme Court (Constitutional Court is more powerful; Supreme Court in Russia only looks at appeals)
What is the current term for the presidency and what was the initial term in the '93 constitution?
4 years; now 6 years
Name the leader who created the Window on the West, the city's name, and what conflict this represents within Russia.
Peter the Great
St. Petersburg
Slavophile v. Westernizer
When it comes to demographic changes in Russia, what do they share with the UK?
Increase in Muslim population
The name for powerful business leaders in Russia that cashed in on their party connections both when communism fell and now, as devotees to Putin.
Oligarchs
The year of the next presidential election in Russia, how long the term will be, and the name of the opposition candidate who has been jailed in an attempt to guarantee victory for Putin.
How is the prime minister appointed and what are his duties?
Appointed by the president, with Duma approval (if not approved after three votes the president can dissolve the Duma and call for new Duma elections). He is an administrative manager, who focuses on the day-to-day governmental tasks.