Analyze the Russian Constitution of 1993. Are there any parts of the constitution that have not been “upheld” under Putin?
No, there aren’t any parts of the constitution that have not been “upheld” under Putin.
Explain why Russia is considered to be an illiberal democracy.
Russia is considered to be an illiberal democracy because it tends toward authoritarian behavior, despite having elections.
Explain how Asymmetric Federalism differs from Federalism and why Russia has this form of federalism.
Asymmetric Federalism differs from Federalism in that it is found in a federation or confederation in which different constituent states possess different powers: one or more of the states has considerably more autonomy than the other substrates, although they have the same constitutional status. Russia has this form of federalism because power has devolved unequally across Russia leaving some regions much stronger than others.
Describe how Putin has weakened regional authority and has centralized power.
Putin has weakened regional authority and has centralized power by reasserting Moscow’s authority by establishing seven supra-regional districts headed primarily by former generals and KGB officers. Putin also emasculated the Federation Council by removing governors and heads of regional legislatures from this chamber and replacing them with appointed representatives from the regional executive and legislative branches of government.
Define Presidential/Parliamentary system (Semi-Presidential).
Presidential/Parliamentary system or Semi-Presidential system is a system of government in which a president exists alongside a prime minister and a cabinet, with the latter two being responsible to the legislature of a state.
What features does it have in common with a presidential system? A parliamentary system?
The features it has in common with a presidential system are the division of powers. The features it has in common with a parliamentary system are the dependence of parliament.
Identify the current head of state and head of government in Russia. What are their titles?
The current head of state is Vladimir Putin and the current head of government in Russia is Dmitry Medvedev. Their titles are President and Prime Minister.
How is the president elected? What is 2nd round voting? How many years is a president’s term? Term limits?
The president is elected in a two-round system. 2nd round voting is a voting system used to elect a single winner where the voter casts a single vote for their chosen candidate and if no candidate receives the required number of votes (usually an absolute majority or 40-45% with a winning margin of 5-15%), then those candidates having less than a certain proportion of the votes, or all but the two candidates receiving the most votes, are eliminated, and a second round of voting is held. A president’s term is 6 years long. Term limits are two consecutive terms.
Describe the powers of the president in Russia. Identify any checks on the president’s power.
The powers of the president in Russia are execution of federal law, alongside the responsibility of appointing federal ministers, diplomatic, regulatory and judicial officers, and concluding treaties with foreign powers with the advice and consent of the State Duma and the Federation Council. There are no checks on the president’s power due to Putin’s political consolidation.
Explain the changes Putin has made to further strengthen the power of the president.
The changes Putin has made to further strengthen the power of the president are that he consolidated main political parties into one consolidated alliance within the parameters of the legislation system legally by putting through legislation raising the requirements for registration of parties, so that a party must have 50,000 members and branches in at least half the regions of the country to be legally registered.
How is the prime minister chosen? What are the PM’s powers? Identify any checks on the PM’s powers (including vote of no confidence).
The prime minister is chosen by the President and confirmed in office by the Duma. The PM’s powers are that he submits to the President proposals on the structures of the federal bodies of executive power, proposes to the President of the Russian Federation candidates for the office of Deputy Prime Ministers and federal ministers. Checks on the PM’s powers are the vote of no confidence which is decided by the Duma and if voted, the President must either dismiss the Government or dissolve the Duma.
Identify the type of legislature found in Russia.
The type of legislature found in Russia is a bicameral national legislature called the Federal Assembly.
Identify the upper house. How are members selected? What is its role?
The upper house is the Federation Council. Two deputies from each subject of the Federation are selected as members, one from the representative and one from the executive bodies of state authority. Its role is that it makes its own rules and regulations and settles all issues relating to its internal organization and work.
Identify the lower house. How are members selected? What is its role?
The lower house is the State Duma. Members are selected by election and any Russian citizen who is 21 or older is eligible to participate in the election may be elected deputy of the State Dua. Its role is to represent the people of Russia and enjoys a large amount of legislative and financial powers.
What is the legislature’s relationship to the other branches?
The legislature’s relationship to the other branches is that the president (executive branch) is superior to it.
Describe the role of the Judiciary.
The role of the Judiciary is that is interprets and applies the law of Russia.
What is the difference between the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court
The difference between the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court is that in Constitutional Court its objective is only to protect the Constitution and deal with a few kinds of disputes where it has original jurisdiction.
What is the Judiciary’s relationship to the other branches?
The Judiciary’s relationship to the other branches is that it settles disputes between the branches.
19. Evaluate the extent of rule of law in Russia. What role does corruption play?
The extent of rule of law in Russia is that development and economic growth is impeding due to the huge amount of corruption that goes on between citizens and the government every day.
20. Describe the status of the military in Russia.
The status of the military in Russia is that initially it was downgraded due to the fall of the USSR but with Putin in power, it is getting larger and more powerful.
21. Describe elections in Russia.
Elections in Russia vary from the people to the ranking officials. Members of the State Duma are elected by proportional representation and members of the Federation Council are elected by the governor and regional legislature.
22. What type of electoral system is used in Russia for the State Duma. How has it changed in recent years?
The electoral system that is used in Russia for the State Duma is proportional representation. It has changed from being elected to their positions in recent years.
23. How are referenda initiated? How have referenda been used historically in Russia?
Referenda are initiated by people with political power in attempt to see if the public support a particular policy. Referenda have been used historically in Russia through the constitution and Boris Yeltsin
.
24. Explain why political parties have been unstable in Russia.
Political parties have been unstable in Russia because due to lack of age, it is inconclusive as to which parties have stable leadership and carry themselves well.
25. Identify the current type of party system in Russia.
The current type of party system in Russia allows for many different parties to be in place, but only the few that are backed by the wealthy oligarchs have any chance at success.
26. Describe the role of each of the following: United Russia, Communist Party of the Russian Federation, Liberal Democratic, A Just Russia.
The role of United Russia was to get Putin elected and keep him in power. The role of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation is to try to maintain power as the original communist party. The role of the Liberal Democratic is to try to achieve political power but are held back due to extreme nationalistic and anti-semitic remarks by its leader, Vladimir Zhirinovsky. The role of A Just Russia is to try to achieve political power for the Motherland People’s Patriotic Union Party and the Party of Pensioners and the Party of life but they struggle as they only have 7% of the Duma.
27. Define state corporatism. Explain why Russian interest groups are corporatist.
State Corporatism is when interest groups such as corporations are controlled by the state. Russian interest groups are corporatist because it prevents outside sources from affecting policy.
28. Describe the role of oligarchs, mafia, and the media in Russia.
The role of oligarchs in Russia were that they bought Soviet-owned businesses and land for low prices after the fall of the Soviet Union and were wealthy and influential enough that they were a loose interest group. The role of mafia in Russia are to control businesses, politicians, and crime all around Russia. The role of the media in Russia is to focus solely on unimportant cultural issues as it is censored and controlled by the government.