Discussion Handout Section #7

PS120 Introduction to Comparative Politics Discussion Handout Section #7: Russia Activity 1: Talking over exam Activity 2: Key Terms: Market economy Command economy Mixed-market economy Fiscal policy Monetary policy Regulation Trade policy Marxism – Political and economic theory that advocates for classless society. Working class overrules capitalist class. Leninism – Based off of Marxism, added on violent tinge to the movement Notes: Stalinism – Characterized with centralized control, forced industrialization (collectivism), had more of an authoritarian tinge to it. Soviet Union Nationalization (economic) Central Planning Semi-presidential system Dual responsibility Co-habitation Presidential dominance Federal Assembly Duma Federation Council “Loans for Shares” program – post-soviet union (communism  democracy): government industries sold to people to start capitalism. Oligarchs got all of the industries. Rich, influential people got their wealth from this program. Oligarch Boris Yeltsin Vladimir Putin Electoral authoritarianism United Russia Activity 3: Compare democratic semi-presidentialism with Russia’s semipresidentialism. Trait Executive Legislature Democratic Semi-Presidential • President – Directly Elected o Foreign Affairs • Prime Minister – Legislature o Accountable to Legislature • Cabinet – Can Vary • If PM and President are the same party, the PM doesn’t • Executive and legislature are not fused but not independent o Legislature can hold PM accountable o President can hold PM accountable • Conflicts between legislature and executive o President and PM different party: Cohabitation o President and PM are same party: Presidential dominance Bills can come from legislature Bicameral or unicameral: No “typical” system • • Russia’s Semi-Presidential • President has all the power • Prime Minister: Under President’s thumb o Appointed and dismissed by the President o No checks and balances o Can be removed by a noconfidence vote (rarely happens) • Bicameral o Duma – Lower House o Federal council – Lower House  In theory: Acts as a check  In practice: Acts as “yes” men for Putin • Presidential veto power o Unlimited o President and PM are same Weak accountability between President and legislature due to ability to appoint (executive dominated system) • Activity 4 You will be assigned into one of four groups and will be given six minutes to work on the following activity. Please prepare to present the result of your group discussion to the entire section. ● Group 1: Soviet Union and its Collapse ○ How long did the Soviet Union exist? Can you briefly describe the history of its formation? How would you describe its political regime? ■ 1922-1991 – Working class overthrew the czar for social peace. Communist regime that doesn’t fulfill the promises they make by centralizing the power in the hands of few rather than distributing it among the people. ● Socialist state turned into communist state ● Authoritarian and could be argued, totalitarian ○ What are the key legacies of Stalin’s reign? What about Khruschev? ■ Stalin: Greater emphasis on industrialization and took an extreme, violent approach. Khruschev was anti-Stalin and wanted a new course for the Soviet Union ○ What were the main factors that led to the collapse of the Soviet Union? Consider both internal and external aspects. How did Mikhail Gorbachev's policies of glasnost and perestroika impact the Soviet Union? In what ways did they contribute to its eventual dissolution? ■ Internal: Gorbachev’s policies and economic ■ External: ■ Glasnost and Perestroika: Revolutionary ideas of openness and restructuring and overthrowing communism. ○ How did the collapse of the Soviet Union affect neighboring countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia? What were some of the immediate and long-term consequences? ○ How did the transition from a planned economy to a market economy unfold in post-Soviet Russia? What were some of the challenges faced by Russian society during this period? ● Group 2: Russia’s Political Economy ○ How does Russia’s reliance on natural resources, particularly oil and gas, impact its economy and political decisions? What are the advantages and risks associated with this dependence? ■ Export is a way for them to gain international powers ■ Oil and gas are their main export which doesn’t allow them to expand ○ What role do oligarchs and large private enterprises play in Russia's political economy today? How does this influence the relationship between business and the state? ■ Putin’s attempts to assassinations of “enemies” ○ How has Russia's economic policy adapted to international sanctions? What strategies has the government employed to maintain economic stability? ■ Reverting back to Soviet Union ○ How do state-owned enterprises (SOEs) shape Russia's economic landscape? What are the implications of this state ownership for economic development and innovation? ● Group 3: Solidifying authoritarianism post-2000 ○ How did Vladimir Putin rise to power? How has Vladimir Putin's leadership style and political strategies contributed to the consolidation of power in Russia? What mechanisms has he used to strengthen his authority? ■ Started as PM and then elected to President ○ In what ways have restrictions on media and civil society impacted political opposition in Russia? How has the state used information control as a tool of authoritarianism? ■ Censored the media to gain influence ○ How has the Russian government reformed electoral and judicial systems to reinforce centralized power? What are some examples of these reforms, and how have they affected political competition? ■ Stacked legislature to centralize power ○ What role do security and intelligence agencies play in maintaining the Russian regime’s authority both at home and abroad? ● Group 4: Russia’s Foreign Policy ○ What role does Russia’s historical relationship with former Soviet republics play in its foreign policy decisions today? How does this history influence Russia’s current regional objectives? ○ What are Russia’s stated objectives in the Ukraine invasion? Briefly outline key events of the conflict. ■ Wants to reclaim the lost Soviet territory ■ Does not acknowledge the sovereignty of previous Soviet territory ○ How does Russia’s foreign policy, particularly its stance on sovereignty and intervention, reinforce its authoritarian model at home? In what ways are domestic and foreign policy linked in maintaining the regime's stability? ○ How has Russia utilized information warfare and cyber strategies to project its influence globally? What are the goals and impacts of these tactics on international relations? ○ (*) How does Russia’s economic relationship with countries like China and members of the Eurasian Economic Union as well as BRICS influence its global position and economic strategy?