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Russia (u.c.)

GOVT 122: Comparative Politics
Sweet Briar College
Instructor: Dr. Andrew Clem
For use of enrolled SBC students ONLY.

Years Leader(s)
1950- Stalin
1955- Khrushchev
1960- Khrushchev
1965- Brezhnev
1970- Brezhnev
1975- Brezhnev
1980- Brezhnev, Andropov, Chernenko
1985- Gorbachev
1990- Yeltsin
1995- Yeltsin
2000- Putin
2005- Putin

Years indicated above are approximate. For more detail, see the Foreign Leaders page, with a year-by-year chronology.

Basic facts:
Political system:Semi-presidential republic
National leader:Pres. Vladimir Putin (2000-)
Structure:"Federal": 47 oblasts, 21 republics...
Regime founded:1993
Democracy:Semi-established (weakening)
Population:141 million
Per capita GDP:$12,200

Distinctive features:

  • Paranoia about foreign threats due to past invasions.
  • High cultural achievements, even during Communist Era.
  • Orthodox religion remains weak in post-Communist Era.
  • Energy resources: for export only?
  • Legacy of inefficient Communist economic system; decaying factories.
 Russia map

To see a key that explains the map symbols, roll the mouse over the map.
Click on it to see a map of ALL of Russia, including Siberia. (Click back arrow to return.)

Political parties:

Name Comm- unist Party United Russia Mother- land Others Liberal Democ. Party
Seats*: 53 222 37 100 38

NOTES: * Seats in lower house.
SOURCES: Mark Kessleman, et al., Introduction to Comparative Politics; CIA World Factbook, various newspapers.

Borat on youtube.com