APComp: Country Studies, Russia - Presidential Dominance, Managed Democracy, Oligarchs, Centralization of Power, Energy Politics

What This Means

In Russia, the concept of Presidential Dominance refers to the significant power and influence held by the president, often at the expense of other branches of government. This matters because it affects how policies are made and implemented, and can lead to authoritarianism. For example, in China, the president has significant control over the government and economy, similar to Russia's president.

Key Terms & Concepts

• Presidential Dominance: The president holds significant power and influence, often at the expense of other branches of government. Example: In Russia, President Putin has maintained control over the government and media for over two decades.
• Managed Democracy: A system where the government appears democratic but actually controls the outcome of elections and suppresses opposition. Example: In Iran, the government has manipulated elections to ensure the ruling party's victory.
• Oligarchs: Wealthy business leaders who have significant influence over the government and economy. Example: In Russia, oligarchs like Roman Abramovich have close ties to the government and have benefited from state contracts.
• Centralization of Power: The concentration of power in a single entity, often at the expense of regional or local governments. Example: In China, the central government has significant control over regional governments and economies.
• Energy Politics: The use of energy resources as a tool of foreign policy and domestic control. Example: In Russia, the government has used energy exports to exert influence over European countries.
• Authoritarianism: A system where the government has significant control over citizens' lives and suppresses opposition. Example: In Nigeria, the government has been criticized for human rights abuses and suppression of opposition.
• Election Rigging: The manipulation of elections to ensure a desired outcome. Example: In Mexico, the government has been accused of rigging elections to favor the ruling party.
• State Capture: The situation where a small group of individuals or organizations exert significant control over the government and economy. Example: In Russia, oligarchs have been accused of capturing key sectors of the economy.
• Soft Power: The use of non-coercive means, such as culture and diplomacy, to exert influence over other countries. Example: In China, the government has used cultural exchanges and economic aid to build relationships with other countries.
• Hard Power: The use of military force or economic coercion to exert influence over other countries. Example: In Russia, the government has used military force to exert influence over Ukraine.

How This Works in Practice

• In Russia, the president has significant control over the government and media, allowing them to shape public opinion and suppress opposition.
• In China, the central government has significant control over regional governments and economies, allowing them to implement policies and projects across the country.
• In Iran, the government has manipulated elections to ensure the ruling party's victory, suppressing opposition and dissent.
• In Nigeria, the government has been criticized for human rights abuses and suppression of opposition, leading to widespread protests and unrest.
• In Mexico, the government has been accused of rigging elections to favor the ruling party, leading to concerns about the legitimacy of the electoral process.

Common Misunderstandings

• Misunderstanding: The Russian government is democratic and free.
• Correction: The Russian government is authoritarian and suppresses opposition, with the president holding significant control over the government and media. Why: The government has cracked down on opposition and independent media, and the president has maintained control over the government for over two decades.
• Misunderstanding: The Chinese government is communist and equal.
• Correction: The Chinese government is authoritarian and has significant control over citizens' lives, with the central government holding significant power over regional governments and economies. Why: The government has implemented policies to suppress dissent and opposition, and has significant control over the economy and media.
• Misunderstanding: The Iranian government is democratic and free.
• Correction: The Iranian government is authoritarian and suppresses opposition, with the government manipulating elections to ensure the ruling party's victory. Why: The government has cracked down on opposition and independent media, and has manipulated elections to ensure the ruling party's victory.

Quick Comparison Table or Scenarios

Scenario 1: Which type of legitimacy does Kim Jong-un rely on? Answer: Authoritarian legitimacy, as he has maintained control over the government and media through force and suppression of opposition. Explanation: Kim Jong-un has cracked down on opposition and independent media, and has maintained control over the government for over a decade.

Scenario 2: Which country has a system of managed democracy? Answer: Iran. Explanation: The Iranian government has manipulated elections to ensure the ruling party's victory, suppressing opposition and dissent.

Scenario 3: Which country has a high level of presidential dominance? Answer: Russia. Explanation: The Russian president has significant control over the government and media, allowing them to shape public opinion and suppress opposition.

Last-Minute Exam Cram

• A 'state' is not the same as a 'government' – the state is the permanent institution, the government is temporary.
• The Russian government is authoritarian and suppresses opposition.
• The Chinese government has significant control over regional governments and economies.
• The Iranian government has manipulated elections to ensure the ruling party's victory.
• The Nigerian government has been criticized for human rights abuses and suppression of opposition.
• The Mexican government has been accused of rigging elections to favor the ruling party.
• The Russian president has significant control over the government and media.
• The Chinese central government has significant power over regional governments and economies.
• The Iranian government has suppressed opposition and independent media.
• The Nigerian government has implemented policies to suppress dissent and opposition.
• The Mexican government has concerns about the legitimacy of the electoral process.
• The Russian government has cracked down on opposition and independent media.
• The Chinese government has significant control over the economy and media.
• The Iranian government has manipulated elections to ensure the ruling party's victory.
• The Nigerian government has been criticized for human rights abuses and suppression of opposition.
• The Mexican government has been accused of rigging elections to favor the ruling party.