russia. history the tsarist regime bolshevik revolution (1917) lenin (1917-24) stalin (1924-53)...
TRANSCRIPT
History
• The Tsarist regime• Bolshevik revolution (1917)• Lenin (1917-24)• Stalin (1924-53)• Gorbachev (1985-91)• Demise of the USSR– Yeltsin (1991-99)– Putin(2000-
Political Economy• From communism to capitalism– Economic assets owned by the state– Mass education and low inequality
• 1985- 1992: Gorbachev’s limited reforms• 1992- Yeltsin’s «shock therapy»– Privatizing SOEs– Opening economy to foreign investors
Political Economy
• The rise of the oligarchs– Loans for shares– Russian capitalists with connections
• Agricultural production declined, imports replaced domestic products
Political Economy
• Russian economy heavily reliant on gas• Resource curse: – corrupt politics– unstable terms of trade, because the prices of
natural resources fluctuate widely. – hinders development of competitive
manufacturing• 1998 economic crisis
Political Economy
• Putin and the oligarchs• Media, Yukos allegations of tax evasion– Press freedom 148/180 (world press freedom index)
• Corruption: state capture• Firms shaping laws
• Cutbacks in welfare programs• Weak tradition of individual entrepreneurship• Reliance on personal trust not contracts
Governance and Policymaking• A strong President– To lead in a period of transition– Legacy of a strong state tradition
• Dual executive– President and the Prime Minister
• Bicameral legislature: Federal Assembly• The Soviet legacy of hierarchical organization• Communist Party of the Soviet Union
• Party dominance then individual leaders’ dominance today
Governance and Policymaking• 1993 Constitution: Semi-presidential system• President: – Directly elected for 6 years, 2 consecutive terms.– foreign affairs, security, relations with regions– Appoints the PM, approval of the Parliament lower
house (Duma) • If Duma rejects the PM three times, President can
dissolve it
– Proposes members of Constitutional, Supreme courts, which are approved by Duma
– Right to call a state of emergency, call referendums
Governance and Policymaking
• Presidential decrees have force of law until the Parliament passes a formal legislation• Yeltsin used decrees more often than Putin
• Impeachment for treason is possible – Federal Assembly+ Supreme Court+Constitutional
Court• PM: economy and related areas– PM can be removed by Duma with two
consecutive votes of no confidence
Governance and Policymaking
• State may own control of shares in key firms.• Gazprom: federal government owns 50% • Several TV stations are publicly owned• Judiciary– The Constitutional Court is cautious not to
confront the executive
Governance and Policymaking
• Federation according to constitution• Central government- constituent units have
powers– Constituent units: republics, regions, districts,
cities• Ethnic groups are regionally concentrated– Central government sensitive relationship with
ethnic republics, e.g. Tatarstan, Chechnya– President appoints regional heads since 2004
Governance and Policymaking
• Legislature• Duma (Lower chamber): 450 seats– Since 2005– directly elected by proportional representation– 7% threshold
• Federal Council (upper chamber): 170 seats, 2 each unit– 1993: directly elected representatives– 2000: one appointed by the regional head, the other by
the regional legislature
Legislative Process
DUMA
FEDERAL COUNCIL
ApproveIf rejects, Duma can override by 2/3 votes
PRESIDENT
2/3 votes of both chambersveto
Security and governance
• Putin used Beslan (N. Ossetia) as an excuse to further centralize power
• Foreign-funded NGOs are restricted