Politics in Russia (Late 80s to Present) HWK : 10 1-page Max Answers

1.) Briefly describe two of the causes of the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Describe one proximate cause of the collapse, as well as one structural cause -- i.e. a process or phenomenon that began years before 1991 and is connected to the Soviet system. (The causes you identify may combine both proximate and structural elements; if so, state that this is the case.) (The answer to this question may be relatively brief.)

As newly appointed general secretary in 1985, Gorbatchev set out to “bridge the gap between socialism’s ideals and it’s disappointing realities within the context of the superpower competition” S. Kotkin, Armageddon Averted.

As the soviet economy stagnated Gorbatchev decided to reallocate a rapidly shrinking budget & political resources from the military to the economy by enacting “Perestroika”. He went a step further by introducing “Glasnost” so as to increase transparency & reduce the authority of the state. Glasnost offered a substantial part of the population unprecedented access to commercial culture and the values of capitalism. The credibility of the regime started to weaken as “new perceptions contributed to a change in attitudes toward the regime and “a shift in values” ” L. Aaron, Everything you know about the Soviet Union Collapse in wrong.

This “ideology of reformism” lead to growing calls from the apparat to reign back the pace of liberalization. In response, Gorbatchev tried to democratize the party with competitive elections & reorganize the party secretariat: Gorbatchev “was exchanging a unitary structure for a federalized one” S. Kotkin, Armageddon Averted.”

M. Beissinger argues in his piece: Nationalism and the Collapse of Soviet Communism that Glasnost allowed for the emergence of “political nationalism across multiple contexts in the Soviet Union” which in turn lead to dispersion amongst the Communist Party as to how to best respond to it thereby further weakening the central control mechanism.

In summary, by disrupting the planned economy through “Perestroika” and discrediting the party’s ideology through “Glasnost”, Gorbatchev wary of an internal power struggle destroyed the party’s central control mechanism which in turn lead to the ultimate collapse of the Union.

2.) President Yeltsin’s decision to use force against the Russian parliament in 1993 was a fateful one. Explain the nature of the conflict between the executive and legislative branches of the new Russian state. What was it about? (hint: it was about more than one thing). Second, what were some consequences of Yeltsin’s decision to use force, in particular for his government’s ability to pass laws and make policy in the several year aftermath of his decision in 1993?

3.) Yeltsin’s inheritance of the Soviet system with its myriad problems influenced the initial path that Yeltsin’s government chose in constructing the new Russian state. Choose one of Yeltsin government’s early policies or reforms and describe how it was informed by the experience of the Soviet era. How did either: the need to definitively end certain aspects of the Soviet system; curtail the power of certain actors from the Soviet era; or the fear of returning to Soviet era shape Yeltsin’s policies. (For example, you may discuss the sequencing of political and economic reforms; some aspect of economic policy; his reform of state structures; relations with the ethnic republics, etc.) Relevant authors: Stephen Kotkin, Mike McFaul, Neil Robnison; Ron Suny.

4.) How did the effects of privatization reduce Yeltsin’s popularity? To answer this, think about how the economic and social effects of voucher privatization (Phase I of privatization) negatively affected certain categories of the population. Also, think about how certain categories of the population benefitted from privatization (both Phase I and Phase II) and how this reduced Yeltsin’s popularity.

5.) Briefly explain how the two wars in Chechnya weakened the Russian state. Provide at least two reasons. (You may answer this briefly).

6.) How did the accountability of regional leaders shift (1) from the Soviet era to the Y eltsin presidency, and then (2) from Yeltsin to Putin? What is the relationship between accountability and democracy?

(Hint: To answer this, identify who the relevant actors (or types of institutions) were in each period in both the regions and in Moscow.

7.) Elections are an important indicator of democracy. Describe how elections to the Duma have changed from the Yeltsin period in the 1990s, to the Putin era in the 2000s. Why have certain parties been able to survive into the present?

8.) Describe two chronic problems with Russia’s economy (briefly) and their consequences for Russian politics, broadly defined.

Politics means any political or social issue in the country. The chronic problem can be something that occurred during the 1990s, the 2000s, or it can span all of the post-Soviet years. You may rely on any of your assigned readings, including the chapters by Neil Robinson, Gerald Easter, and Richard Sakwa (and Stephen Kotkin). You are not required to describe a problem that we discussed in class, though you may, obviously.

9.) How has the relationship between oligarchs and the state changed from Yeltsin to Putin?

10) How has Putin strengthened the Russian state? How has he weakened it?

You may discuss various aspects of the state: e.g., the formal institutions of the state (i.e. parliament; federalism; the Constitution); the state’s relationship to various actors: minority ethnic groups; the economy/powerful economic actors; the meaning of the war in Chechnya; etc.

This question is broad and interpretative. You can be creative. But do not try to address subjects we have not yet covered (e.g. relationship of the state to the legal system; civil society). And try not to repeat your earlier answers to other questions.

What is the state? State institutions; the state provides welfare to the population; the military and security services.