RussiaCarlos LorenzanaPer. 4

History of Russia Tsars and Serfdom Russian Revolution Russian Civil War WWII Cold War Dissolution of the

Soviet Union Russia as a

Democratic State

Facts about Russia Capital- Moscow Population-143

million Largest country in the

world Currency- Ruble Religion- Russian

Orthodox Economy based on

natural resources, especially oil and natural gas, agriculture, alcohol

-North Atlantic Trade Organization-World Trade Organization

Russia’s Government Today President is Head of State

Head of Executive Branch (shared), names officials, oversees all ministries and foreign affairs

Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation (Prime Minister) Head of Executive Branch (shared), national

representative, aid to President, helps to determines economic and social policy

State Duma “House of Representatives”

Federation Council “Senate”

President and “Prime Minister”

President Popular vote 6 year term (was 4 before

2007) – 2 term max 35 years old, citizen for

10 years Dmitry Medvedev

“Prime Minister” Appointed by President

and confirmed by State Duma

Vladimir Putin

State Duma and Federation Council The “House of Representatives” of

Russia 450 seats Party-list proportional representations (previously, it

was half elected using party-list and the other using single-member districts, where the most popular candidates get elected in their respective districts )

Considered lower house of Parliament The “Senate” of Russia

178 seats, with 2 representatives for each region/territory (89 regions in total)

No fixed term, replaced and elected by governors of regional legislature

Judicial Branch

Federal Judges Nominated by President and confirmed

by Federation Council (sound familiar?) Civil/criminal cases

Lower Courts Appointed by Ministry of Justice

Constitutional Court Declares disputes between

branches/levels of government and matters of the Constitution

Cabinet and Ministries

7 (was 5) Prime and Deputy Prime Ministers Report to Prime

Ministries, who report to Pres.

Ministries 18 Ministries

overlooking specific areas in the government

Department of Energy in U.S.

Politicians and the People in Politics Recruitment of Officials

Not formal, many come from different backgrounds

Citizen Participation Voting and little else

Legitimacy Many like and dislike the new government Many don’t like politicians, and many regret the

break up of the Soviet Union, but are apathetic Media

Equal access to media for political groups/ parties

Events that shaped Russia’s Gov

Russian Revolution (1917) Bolsheviks overtook tsarist regime

and created Communist state Russian Civil War (1917-

1921) Reinforced Communist state by

defeating opposite parties, and united with other socialist states to create Soviet Union

Dissolution of the Soviet Union (1991-1993) Creation of Russia, and democratic

government

Key Political Figures Vladimir Lenin (1917-

1924) Creator of the Bolshevik party

and first leader of communist Russia

Joseph Stalin (1924-1953) Leader after Lenin, Russia

became very powerful but weakened the economy

Mikhail Gorbachev (1989-1993) First politician in Russia to start

economic and social reform, which lead to dissolution of USSR/ Soviet Union

Constitution Written in 1993

Large dispute between Yeltsin (former Pres.) and Parliament▪ After a referendum and a

coup, the Constitution was barely passed

-Federal semi-presidential republic “Superpresidential

system”

Political Parties and Interest Groups United Russia

Most popular Conservative and centric

Communist Party of Russia Marxist/Communist ideals

Motherland (A Just Russia) Socialism and capitalism

Liberal Democratic Party of Russia Nationalism

Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs

Committee of Soldiers’ Mothers

Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia

Economy

Mix of market and command economy Gov. owns large

companies, but allows private business

Developed and Industrialized Fairly high GDP

Stable due to oil, natural gas, lumber, agriculture, tourism

Ethnic Cleavages and Public Policy Chechnya

A republic of Russia who has tried to gain independence through war, but was back under control during second war

Focus on: Production of oil/gas New energy policies Pollution problems

Problems: Poor healthcare High crime Unemployment Low domestic and

foreign investment

Bibliography Zalman, A. (n.d.). Russia, chechnya and terrorism.

Retrieved from http://terrorism.about.com/od/originshist ory/tp/Russia--

Chechnya--Terrorism.htm Centra Intelligence Agency, (n.d.). Russia Washington, DC:

Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/rs.html

Russian revolution (1917). (n.d.). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Revolution_(1917)

Almond, G, Dalton, R, Powell, G, & Strom, K. (2007). Comparative politics today: a world view. New York: Pearson.

Russia. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/russia.htm