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Politics in Russia: A Comprehensive Guide to the Russian Political Landscape

Arthur Conan Doyle

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Russia, the vast and enigmatic nation that spans two continents, has a political landscape as complex and dynamic as its history. From the days of the tsars to the tumultuous Soviet era and the post-Soviet transition, Russian politics has been characterized by a blend of authoritarianism, centralization, and a search for national identity.

Politics in Russia: A Reader

by Joel M. Ostrow

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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A Brief History of Russian Politics

The foundations of Russian politics can be traced back to the Kievan Rus, the first unified Slavic state, which emerged in the 9th century. The Kievan Rus was ruled by a grand prince, who held both secular and religious authority. After the Mongol invasions of the 13th century, Russia fragmented into a collection of principalities, each with its own ruler. In the 15th century, the Grand Duchy of Moscow emerged as the dominant power and gradually unified the Russian lands.

The reign of Ivan the Terrible (1533-1584) marked a turning point in Russian history. Ivan centralized power, expanded the territory of the state, and established the first Russian tsarist dynasty. The Romanov dynasty, which ruled Russia from 1613 to 1917, continued Ivan's policies of autocracy and territorial expansion.

In the 19th century, Russia underwent significant social and economic changes, leading to the rise of liberal and revolutionary movements. The assassination of Tsar Alexander II in 1881 sparked a period of repression, but also increased pressure for political reforms. In 1905, Tsar Nicholas II was forced to grant a constitution and establish an elected parliament, the State Duma.

The Soviet Era

The Russian Revolution of 1917 ended centuries of tsarist rule and brought the Bolsheviks to power. The Bolsheviks established a one-party state, the Soviet Union, which was ruled by the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU). The Soviet Union was a highly centralized state with a command economy and a strict political system that suppressed dissent.

Under the leadership of Joseph Stalin (1924-1953),the Soviet Union underwent rapid industrialization and collectivization of agriculture. Stalin's rule was also characterized by widespread political repression and the Great Purge, in which millions of people were killed or imprisoned.

After Stalin's death, the Soviet Union experienced a period of relative liberalization under Nikita Khrushchev (1953-1964). Khrushchev denounced Stalin's crimes and introduced some economic reforms. However, the Soviet Union remained a one-party state with limited political freedoms.

The era of Leonid Brezhnev (1964-1982) was marked by economic stagnation and a more conservative political climate. Brezhnev's rule also saw the Soviet Union engage in the Cold War with the United States, a global rivalry that shaped world politics for decades.

The Post-Soviet Transition

In the late 1980s, the Soviet Union began to experience economic and political crises. The reforms introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev (1985-1991) aimed to modernize the Soviet system, but ultimately led to its collapse.

In 1991, the Soviet Union dissolved, and the Russian Federation emerged as an independent state. The early years of the post-Soviet era were characterized by economic turmoil, political instability, and the rise of organized crime.

The Putin Era

Vladimir Putin, a former KGB officer, became president of Russia in 2000. Putin's presidency has been marked by a significant consolidation of power, a crackdown on political opposition, and a more assertive foreign policy.

Under Putin, Russia has experienced economic growth, increased military spending, and a more centralized political system. Putin has also sought to promote a conservative and patriotic ideology that emphasizes traditional values and Russian national identity.

Putin's presidency has been marked by a number of controversies, including the annexation of Crimea in 2014, the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, and allegations of interference in foreign elections.

The Structure of the Russian Government

Russia is a federal semi-presidential republic. The president is the head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The prime minister is the head of government and is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the government.

The Federal Assembly is the Russian parliament and consists of two chambers: the State Duma and the Federation Council.

The State Duma is the lower house of the Federal Assembly and has 450 members. The members of the State Duma are elected by popular vote for a five-year term.

The Federation Council is the upper house of the Federal Assembly and has 170 members. The members of the Federation Council are elected by the regional legislatures for a four-year term.

Politics in Russia: A Reader

by Joel M. Ostrow

5 out of 5