THIS IS
RUSSIA
OUR TEAM
Alexandra Sebastian Jojenn Michael Garcia
Rodriguez Lopez Calingacion Jr.
BSED – SOCIAL STUDIES BSED – SOCIAL STUDIES BSED – SOCIAL STUDIES BSED – SOCIAL STUDIES
2
Our Objectives
╸ Analyze the geographics, demographics,
historical development, political system, and
current issues of Russia.
╸ Compare the political system and every
notable aspects of Russia to the rest of the
countries especially the Philippines.
3
Roadmap
Historical
Developmen Political Local Political
t Institutions Government Economy
4 6 8
2
Geographics
1 3 5 7
& Political
Demographi Political Electoral Conflict &
cs Regime System Competition
4
1 GEOGRAPHICS &
DEMOGRAPHICS
RUSSIA
Introduction (Geographics)
Russia, the largest
country in the world,
occupies one-tenth of all
the land on Earth. It
spans 11 time zones
across two continents
(Europe and Asia) and
has coasts on three
oceans (the Atlantic,
Pacific, and Arctic).
6
Introduction(Demographics)
Russia is the largest
country in the world. Its
population is declining,
and the inhabitants are
quite diverse, with more
than 120 other ethnic
groups present, speaking
many languages, and
following disparate
religious and cultural
traditions.
7
Map of Russia
8
Moscow (Capital of Russia)
9
St. Petersburg (Major city of Russia)
10
144,995,000
0.19% decline from 2022 to 2023
Population
11
9 people/sq. km
Population Density
73.6 %
Urban Area
26.4%
Rural Area
12
Ethnic Groups
(2010)
Russians - 77% Chechens - 1%
Tatars - 3.7% Armenians - 0.3%
Ukrainians - Nenets - 0.02%
1.4% Others – 22.2%
Bashkir - 1.1%
Chuvashs - 1%
13
14
Geographics &
Demographics
╸ Russia is a vast country, nearly four times the
size of the United States, covering eleven time
zones.
╸ The population of Russia is around 141 million,
much smaller compared to the United States and
the European Union.
╸ Most of the Russian population is concentrated in
the western part of the country, while Siberia in
the east is sparsely populated due to its harsh
climate. 15
Geographics &
Demographics
╸ Russians historically moved eastward towards the Pacific
Ocean, while Americans moved westward. Alaska was
part of the Russian Empire before being sold to the
United States.
╸ The climate and conditions in Siberia made it difficult for
individuals to settle, and the state played a significant
role in developing infrastructure and creating populated
communities.
╸ Russia shares borders with fourteen countries, many of
which were part of the Soviet Union. Some countries are
still considered within Russia's sphere of influence.
16
Geographics &
Demographics
╸ Russia has a long border with China, with whom it has
often had strained relations. Russia also controls
islands in the Pacific that were previously owned by
Japan.
╸ Russia has a history of invasions due to its lack of
natural defenses like oceans or mountains.
╸ Russia is rich in natural resources such as wood, oil,
natural gas, gold, nickel, and diamonds, with many
concentrated in Siberia. These resources have
contributed to the growth of the Russian economy.
17
2 HISTORICAL
DEVELOPMENT
RUSSIA
Historical
Development
╸ The historical development of the Russian state
begins with the expansion of Vikings into the
region in the ninth century C.E.
╸ The origins of the Russian state are a matter of
debate, with some attributing it to foreign
influence and others to native Slav inhabitants.
╸ The Kievan state emerged as a major power by
the late tenth century and adopted Orthodox
Christianity.
19
Historical
Development
╸ The Mongol invasion in the thirteenth century had a
significant impact on Russia, leading to economic
destruction, urban depopulation, and isolation from
European influences.
╸ Ivan the Terrible's rule in the sixteenth century marked
the emergence of a single Russian emperor and the
consolidation of power in Moscow.
╸ Russia's unique growth of state power and lack of
democratic institutions can be attributed to a
combination of factors, including religion, historical
catastrophes, and political leadership.
20
Historical
Development
╸ Russia faced a series of challenges in the early twentieth
century, including the Russo-Japanese War, the
Revolution of 1905, and World War I, which led to the
abdication of the czar and the establishment of a non-
Communist republic.
╸ Vladimir Lenin led the Bolshevik revolution, establishing
the first Communist state, the Soviet Union.
╸ Under Lenin's leadership, the Communist Party took
control of the government and suppressed alternative
political parties and media.
21
Historical
Development
╸ Joseph Stalin succeeded Lenin and established a
totalitarian regime characterized by centralized power,
collectivization of agriculture, and industrialization.
╸ Stalin's reign was marked by mass terror, purges, and
the cult of personality.
╸ After Stalin's death, the Soviet leadership maintained the
basic features of the system, with power vested in the
Communist Party and a central-planning bureaucracy
controlling the economy.
22
Historical
Development
╸ The Soviet system experienced stability and
some degree of economic growth in its early
years, but by the 1960s, it faced stagnation
and corruption.
╸ Attempts at reform by Nikita Khrushchev
were hindered, and the Soviet Union fell
behind the West in economic development
by the 1980s.
23
3 POLITICAL REGIME
RUSSIA
Political Regime
╸ Russia's political regime can no longer be considered
a democracy.
╸ While Russia has more freedom compared to its
Soviet predecessor, democratic structures are weakly
institutionalized and increasingly restricted or ignored
by the president.
╸ Russia lacks elements of democracy that actually
function to a meaningful degree, making it difficult to
label it even as an illiberal democracy.
25
Political Regime
╸ Democratic institutions and civic organizations have
been effectively stifled under Putin's era.
╸ In an illiberal regime, the power and legitimacy of
democratic institutions are uncertain, but in Russia,
there are no institutions allowed to contribute to
democratic activity in a meaningful way.
╸ The actual politics in Russia may not align with the
powers and responsibilities outlined in the
constitution.
26
4 POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS
RUSSIA
THE RUSSIAN
CONSTITUTION
28
Russian
Constitution
╸ The Russian constitution was created after a
failed coup d'état by opponents of radical reform.
╸ Unlike other Eastern European Communist
countries, Russia's political leaders remained in
power after the dissolution of the Soviet state.
╸ Boris Yeltsin faced political institutions that were
largely unchanged from the previous era, leading
to conflict.
29
Russian
Constitution
╸ The parliament initially supported Yeltsin but later
clashed with him over the speed and scope of his
economic reforms.
╸ In response to opposition from the parliament, Yeltsin
dissolved it in September 1993.
╸ The parliament's opponents barricaded themselves,
attempted to seize control of the national television
station, and called for the army to depose the
president.
30
Russian
Constitution
╸ The army supported Yeltsin, suppressing the
uprising and allowing him to write a new
constitution in 1993.
╸ The new constitution formally replaced the
old legislative order but did not provide a
strong foundation for democracy and
emphasized presidential power.
31
STRUCTURE OF
GOVERNMENT
32
STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT
33
POLITICAL
FEATURES
34
Legislative-executive
system: Semi-presidential
Legislature: Federal
Assembly
Lower house: State Duma
Upper house: Federation
Council 35
Unitary or federal division of
power: Federal
Main geographic subunits:
Republics, provinces,
territories, autonomous districts,
federal cities
(Moscow and St. Petersburg)
36
Electoral system for lower
house: Proportional
Representation
Electoral system for upper
house: Appointed by local
executive and legislature
Chief judicial body:
37
BRANCHES OF
GOVERNMENT
38
#1
KREMLIN: THE
PRESIDENCY AND
THE PRIME
MINISTER 39
KREMLIN
╸ The Kremlin, historically associated with executive
power in Russia, is now primarily vested in the
presidency according to the 1993 constitution.
╸ Russia operates under a semi-presidential system where
the president is the head of state and the prime minister
is the head of government.
╸ The president holds overwhelming executive power and
is directly elected for a four-year term, with a maximum
of two terms and may only be removed through
impeachment.
40
KREMLIN
╸ The president appoints and dismisses the prime minister and
cabinet members, although their nomination can be rejected
by the State Duma.
╸ The president can propose and veto bills, issue decrees that
don't require legislative approval, and control important
ministries such as Foreign Affairs, Defense, Interior, and the
Federal Security Bureau.
╸ Impeachment of the president is challenging and requires
approval from high courts and a two-thirds majority vote in
both houses of parliament.
41
KREMLIN
╸ The prime minister supervises ministries not
under presidential control and proposes
legislation aligned with the president's policies.
╸ The prime minister and cabinet members are
not necessarily appointed based on
parliamentary party representation but are
chosen by the president.
42
KREMLIN
╸ Putin's appointment as prime minister under
Medvedev raised questions about the power
dynamics in the semi-presidential system, with
Putin's personal authority being influential.
╸ Putin's personal authority has overridden
institutional authority, creating confusion and
making the constitution's relevance in
understanding Russian politics problematic.
43
#2
LEGISLATURE
44
LEGISLATURE
╸ The Russian national legislature, known as the Federal
Assembly, has limited influence over the government
compared to the powerful presidency.
╸ The Federal Assembly consists of a lower house, the State
Duma, and an upper house, the Federation Council.
╸ The State Duma has the power to initiate, accept, or reject
legislation and can override the president's veto with a
two-thirds vote. It also approves the appointment of the
prime minister.
45
LEGISLATURE
╸ The State Duma can call a vote of no confidence in the prime
minister, but the president can ignore the decision. If a
second vote of no confidence passes within three months, the
prime minister and cabinet must be dismissed, and new
Duma elections are called.
╸ The State Duma's opposition to the prime minister and
president can lead to its own dissolution or strengthen
opposition parties through new elections.
╸ The drafting of legislation has shifted from the Duma to the
president and prime minister during the Putin administration.
46
4-5-21
Moscow — Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law on
Monday a change to the country's constitution that will allow
him to run for two more six-year terms, granting himself the
chance to remain in power until 2036. The Russian leader, 68,
has already run the country for more than two decades, and
with his recent crackdown on political opponents and civil
society, he has made it clear that there's little room for
dissent.
- 47
LEGISLATURE
╸ The dominance of a single party loyal to Putin in
the Duma has diminished its political role,
making its constitutional functions less
significant.
╸ The Federation Council, as the upper house,
primarily represents local interests and
guarantees the constitution. It has less power
than the Duma and does not produce legislation.
48
LEGISLATURE
╸ The Federation Council approves certain bills,
including those related to taxation and the
budget, and can weigh in on presidential
appointments and international treaties.
╸ The Federation Council has not been a
particularly powerful institution within the
Russian state in the past decade.
49
#3
JUDICIAL SYSTEM
50
Judicial System
╸ Russia faces the challenge of establishing the rule of
law, where the law is applied equally and predictably
to all individuals.
╸ Historical lack of a law-bound state in Russia, with
the czar and Communist regime acting above the
law.
╸ Weak legal institutions and absence of a
constitutional court undermined public confidence in
the political order.
51
Judicial System
╸ Post-Communist era marked by an explosion of corruption
and organized crime.
╸ The Constitutional Court, established under Mikhail
Gorbachev's reforms, consists of nineteen members and
has the power to rule on constitutional issues, civil rights
violations, and presidential impeachment.
╸ The Constitutional Court is not the court of last appeal for
criminal cases; that responsibility lies with the Supreme
Court.
52
Judicial System
╸ President Putin promised a "dictatorship of law," but
the country remains plagued by legal nihilism and
corruption.
╸ Transparency International ranks Russia as highly
corrupt, with a significant decline in recent years.
╸ The Constitutional Court has shown limited action
and was physically moved from Moscow to St.
Petersburg in 2008, raising concerns about reduced
effectiveness.
53
5 ELECTORAL SYSTEM
RUSSIA
Electoral System
╸ The electoral system in Russia has undergone significant
changes in the past fifteen years.
╸ In the late Soviet period, the president was indirectly
elected by the Congress of People's Deputies, but it
became a directly elected office before Russia's
independence.
╸ Presidential elections have been held in 1996, 2000, 2004,
and 2008, with the top two candidates competing in a
second round if no majority is achieved in the first round.
A president can serve a maximum of two terms.
55
Electoral System
╸ Putin won the majority in 2000 and 2004, eliminating
the need for a runoff. Medvedev won the election in
2008 with strong state control despite public support
for him as Putin's successor.
╸ The Duma, Russia's parliament, has also held regular
elections. Initially, a mixed system of single-member
districts (SMDs) and proportional representation (PR)
was used, with a 5 percent threshold for smaller
parties.
56
Electoral System
╸ Under Putin, the system was changed to consolidate
political power, moving towards pure PR and eliminating
SMDs. Independent candidates winning seats through
SMDs posed a challenge to the administration's agenda.
╸ The 2007 Duma elections were solely held under PR, and
the party threshold was raised to 7 percent, making it
harder for small parties to enter the Duma.
╸ Electoral reforms also restricted parties from forming
electoral blocs to overcome the threshold.
57
6 LOCAL GOVERNMENT
RUSSIA
Electoral System
╸ Russia's local government has been a battleground
between the central government and local authorities.
╸ Russia is a federal system with 89 different regional
bodies, including republics, provinces, territories, districts,
and federal cities.
╸ Each regional body has different rights, with republics
having greater autonomy and the ability to have their own
constitution and state language.
59
Electoral System
╸ Some republics even made claims of sovereignty in the
early 1990s, leading to conflicts like the war in Chechnya.
╸ Asymmetric federalism is observed, where power is
devolved unequally across regions, often through specific
laws negotiated between regions and the central
government.
╸ Each territory has its own governor and local Duma, with
the governor appointing a representative to the Federation
Council.
60
Electoral System
╸ The Putin administration took steps to reduce regional
power, including changing or annulling regional laws and
agreements and creating federal districts headed by
presidential appointees.
╸ Regional governors and heads of local Dumas were barred
from serving directly in the Federation Council.
╸ In 2004, all local governors became directly appointed by
the president, curtailing federalism but leaving local
offices with some power.
61
7 POLITICAL CONFLICT
AND COMPETITION
RUSSIA
PARTY SYSTEM AND
ELECTION
63
#1
COMMUNIST &
LEFTIST PARTIES
64
Communist &
Leftist
╸ The Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) is
the strongest and most institutionalized party since 1991,
succeeding the Soviet-era organization.
╸ Initially banned by Yeltsin in 1991, the CPRF was allowed
to reorganize and has gained support from a significant
portion of the population opposed to political and
economic changes.
╸ The CPRF performed well in elections, capturing 10
percent of the Duma's seats in 1993 and increasing its
share to one third in 1995, becoming the largest single
party in the Duma. 65
Communist &
Leftist
╸ While its vote share has declined, the CPRF remains
the second-largest party in the Duma.
╸ The CPRF maintains close ties to its Communist
ideology, distinguishing it from other post-Communist
parties in Eastern Europe that shifted towards social
democracy.
╸ Recently, the CPRF has attempted to adopt a more
nationalist stance and capitalize on nostalgia for the
Soviet Union.
66
Communist &
Leftist
╸ However, the party has not significantly opposed
the Putin or Medvedev administrations, and its
nationalism is not distinctly different from that of
the current government.
╸ The aging Russian population poses a risk for the
CPRF, as its older base of support may diminish
over time.
67
#2
LIBERAL PARTIES
68
Liberal Parties
╸ Liberalism has had limited success in Russian political life
and has seen a decline in recent years.
╸ The main liberal party in Russia is Yabloko, formed in 1993
by Grigory Yavlinsky, advocating for a pro-Western stance
and a market economy.
╸ Yabloko traditionally drew support from white-collar
workers and urban residents in major cities, positioning
itself between liberalism and social democracy.
69
Liberal Parties
╸ The Union of Right Forces (URF), founded by Boris
Nemtsov and Anatoly Chubais, shares similarities with
Yabloko.
╸ In the 1990s, both Yabloko and URF gained around 5 to 10
percent of the vote in Duma elections, but their
representation declined over time.
╸ Accusations that Yabloko and URF were instruments of the
oligarchs, who became wealthy through connections to
the government, tainted their image.
70
Liberal Parties
╸ Several factors contribute to the difficulties faced by
liberalism in Russia, including the historically statist and
collectivist nature of Russian politics and the relatively
small middle class.
╸ The perception of the difficult economic and political
transition after communism as a humiliation forced by the
West has led to skepticism towards political parties
embodying Western values.
╸ With the rise of nationalism, such liberal parties are often
seen as tools of the West or traitors to Russia.
71
#3
NATIONALIST
PARTIES
72
Nationalist Parties
╸ The Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR), led by
Vladimir Zhirinovsky, gained strength in the 1990s and
espoused nationalist views, xenophobia, and anti-
Semitism.
╸ The LDPR initially gained 14 percent of the seats in the
Duma in the 1993 elections but saw a decline in
subsequent elections, barely meeting the 5 percent
threshold in 1999.
╸ In recent years, the LDPR has experienced a resurgence
and currently stands as the third-largest party in the
Duma. 73
Nationalist Parties
╸ The LDPR's support for Putin and his government
has contributed to its comeback, leading some
observers to suspect government funding and
control over the party as a pseudo-opposition.
╸ The LDPR's current manifesto emphasizes the
period between 1965 and 1975 as the "best
years" of the country, but its reactionary content
has diminished compared to a decade ago.
74
Nationalist Parties
╸ The National Bolshevik Party, led by Eduard Limonov,
represents extreme nationalism and combines Communist
and fascist ideas.
╸ The party opposes United Russia and Putin, has a strong
youth following, and engages in public demonstrations.
╸ The National Bolshevik Party was banned in 2007, and
some of its members have been arrested, but the party
continues to organize small protests.
75
#4
PARTIES OF POWER
AND UNITED RUSSIA
76
Parties of Power
and United Russia
╸ Parties of power in Russia are created by political
elites to support their own political aspirations and
lack specific ideologies or clear organizational
qualities.
╸ Our Home Is Russia Party was created in 1995 to
bolster support for Prime Minister Victor
Chernomyrdin and President Yeltsin, but its support
declined rapidly after Chernomyrdin left office in
1998.
77
Parties of Power
and United Russia
╸ In the 1999 elections, two parties of power emerged: Fatherland-
All Russia and Unity. Fatherland-All Russia aimed to advance the
presidential aspirations of former Prime Minister Yevgeny
Primakov and Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, while Unity was
created to support Putin's campaign. After Unity's victory, the
two parties merged in 2001 to form United Russia, leveraging
Putin's popularity and government control over the electoral
process.
╸ United Russia, with a cult of personality around Putin and a youth
wing, has gained control over various segments of the state and
economy and eliminated its rivals.
78
Parties of Power
and United Russia
╸ United Russia has a corporatist tendency, using party
membership as a means for individual access to important
jobs in the state and economy.
╸ The 2007 Duma elections showed a lack of democracy,
with smaller parties being excluded from the process in
favor of United Russia, and the state-controlled media
providing overwhelming support to the ruling party.
╸ International observers concluded that the elections were
unfair and did not meet basic standards for democratic
procedures.
79
8 POLITICAL ECONOMY
RUSSIA
Political Economy
╸ Russia faced the challenge of building capitalism with
private property and open markets after transitioning
away from Communism.
╸ Reforms in the 1990s aimed to privatize state assets and
free up market forces, following the example of Poland and
advice from Western economic advisers.
╸ The initial results of shock therapy reforms were mixed,
with hyperinflation, recession, and tensions between
President Boris Yeltsin and the parliament.
81
Political Economy
╸ Privatization in Russia was problematic, as insider
privatization concentrated wealth in the hands of a few
with economic and political connections.
╸ The emergence of oligarchs, who controlled a significant
portion of the Russian economy and had close ties to the
Yeltsin administration, raised concerns about corruption.
╸ The loans-for-shares program in 1996 further empowered
the oligarchs and limited foreign investment in the
privatization process.
82
Political Economy
╸ Debates exist regarding the success of market reforms in
Russia, considering institutional constraints, weak civil
society, risk-averse culture, and centralized industry.
╸ Putin's rise to power marked a change in the Russian
economy, with actions taken against the oligarchs and a
consolidation of power under Putin's control.
╸ Russia experienced economic successes under Putin,
including GDP growth, the emergence of a new middle
class, and declining poverty.
83
Political Economy
╸ The economic progress is largely dependent on oil, gas,
and metal exports, raising concerns about a resource trap
economy and limited diversification.
╸ Corruption and political intervention hinder foreign direct
investment and the growth of small and medium-sized
businesses.
╸ Russia's overall standard of living is lower than its GDP
suggests, and the long-term implications for the economy
are uncertain due to falling oil prices.
84
9 CURRENT ISSUES
RUSSIA
Current Issues
╸ Russia faces internal challenges despite external shocks
and sanctions.
╸ Putin's decision on running for re-election or naming a
successor in 2024 is crucial.
╸ Growing divide between elites favoring escalation and
those advocating for a pause in the war.
╸ Political fight between pragmatists and hawks, influenced
by military performance.
86
Current Issues
╸ Tension within the government and dissatisfaction
among senior figures.
╸ Events on the battlefield will heavily influence these
developments.
╸ Russia's war with Ukraine will transform the country
and strain leadership's control.
╸ Repression and criminalization of dissent expected to
increase.
87
THANK YOU!
These are the
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/article/russia
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uous-forest
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sia/
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interesting-facts-about-russia/
89
These are the
References
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ussia-508538/
╸ https://www.expatica.com/ru/moving/about/facts-about-r
ussia-508538/
╸ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/vladimir-putin-president-
russia-signs-law-allowing-2-more-presidential-terms/
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90
