Political Institutions
What is the name of the lower house of the Russian Legislature and how they are elected?
The Duma is the lower house and the are all elected through proportional representation (implemented in 2005)
How did leaders and bureaucratic members get political jobs in the soviet era?
They were chosen through nomenklatura
What is Putin's foreign policy agenda?
Anti-NATO and anti-EU
Culturally, Russia can be described as?
In contrast to federalism seen in Russia, UK has what?
A unitary state
Who is the head of government in Russia?
The Prime minister whose appointed by the president
Who was the implementer of Glasnost and Perestroika?
Mikhail Gorbachev
What fuels the Russian Economy?
Oil and gas reserves
Russian's are influenced by what aspect of their history?
Statism and absolute rule
Compared to the United States, Russian political parties are more focused on what?
They evolve around particular leaders rather than a stable platform
What is the type of presidential election in Russia?
There is a runoff election if a party doesn't gain a majority
Marx and Lenin are known for what ideology?
Democratic centralism
What is the ethnic cleavage that cause political tension in Russia?
Chechnya
Main social cleavages in Russia today?
Ethnicity, Rural v. Urban, Religion, and Social class
While Britain saw a slow change to democracy, in Russia what happened?
Russia has had violent change as seen through multiple bloody revolutions
What is the role of the constitution court?
Interpreting the constitution and constitutionality of laws
(This is the role in the constitution but is not independent from influence from the President)
What is the description of a Post-Stalin USSR?
Industrialized, high legitimacy, and egalitarianism
The election of 2008 led to this
What is Dmitri Medvedev was elected as president with Putin as his prime minister, though Putin still held his same powers?
In contrast to Americans, Russians are known for what?
Equality of result
Unlike Britain, Russia has strong influence on the president from what group?
The oligarcy
What are the ways to impeach the Russian President?
2/3 majority in the Duma, 2/3 majority in the Federation Council, and ruling by Constitutional Court and Supreme Court
What was Yeltsin's action in congress 1993?
He dissolved and sent troops into parliament to have referendum, giving him more power
What is Russia's government system?
Illiberal Democracy due to central power in the executive, disregard of rule of law, censorship/propaganda, and limit of other branches?
What are the youth groups created by Stalin and their modern counterpart?
Komsomol was Stalin era, Nashi is modern groups
Whats the difference in federalism in the United States and in Russia?
Russia has asymmetrical federalism