Sovereignty,+Authority,+and+Power

Political culture, communication, and socialization

 * ====Russia has lived under authoritarian rule ====
 * ====Gorbachev led towards democratization with an “open” government ====
 * Mongols
 * Russian Empire
 * Soviet Union
 * ====Today’s “openness” is controversial, with Putin’s rise to power ====

Nations and States

 * ====Russia is Divided into 83 Federal Subjects ====
 * ====21 [|__republics__], 9 [|__krais__] , 46 [|__oblasts__] , 2 [|__federal cities__] , 1 [|__autonomous oblast__] , and 4 [|__autonomous okrugs__] ====

Supranational governance

 * ====United Nations ====
 * ====Council of Europe ====
 * ====Commonwealth of Independent States: Group of former Sovial Republics ====
 * ====Union of Russia and Belarus ====
 * ====Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ====
 * ====North Atlantic Cooperation Council ====
 * ====Russia also holds memberships in the [|Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation], [|Bank for International Settlements], [|Black Sea Economic Cooperation], [|Council of the Baltic Sea States], [|Council of Europe], [|European Organization for Nuclear Research], [|Commonwealth of Independent States], [|Collective Security Treaty Organisation], [|Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council], [|European Bank for Reconstruction and Development], [|Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific], [|Group of 8], [|Group of 20], [|International Atomic Energy Agency], [|International Bank for Reconstruction and Development], [|International Civil Aviation Organization], [|International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement], [|International Development Association], [|International Finance Corporation], [|International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement], [|International Hydrographic Organization], [|International Labour Organization], [|International Monetary Fund], [|International Maritime Organization], [|International Mobile Satellite Organization], [|International Criminal Police Organization], [|International Olympic Committee], [|International Organization for Migration], [|International Organization for Standardization], [|International Telecommunication Union], [|Latin American Integration Association], [|Non-Aligned Movement], [|Nuclear Suppliers Group], [|Organization of American States], [|Organisation of Islamic Cooperation], [|Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons], [|Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries], [|Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe], [|Permanent Court of Arbitration], [|Partnership for Peace], [|Shanghai Cooperation Organization], [|World Tourism Organization], [|Universal Postal Union], [|World Customs Organization], [|World Federation of Trade Unions], [|World Health Organization], [|World Intellectual Property Organization], [|World Meteorological Organization], [|World Trade Organization] (Applicant), and the [|Zangger Committee] ====

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Sources of power

 * ==== Russia has 83 sub-federal divisions: 21 voting republics, 9 krais, 46 oblasts, 2 federal cities, 4 autonomous oblasts and 4 autonomous okrugs ====
 * ==== 7 registered parties (as of 2011): United Russia, the Communist Party (KPRF), the Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR), Just Russia, Yabloko, Patriots of Russia, and the new Right Cause party ====

Constitutions (forms, purposes, application)

 * ==== Constitution adopted 12/12/1993 ====
 * ==== The constitution provides for freedom of speech and of the press; however, in practice the government pressure on the media persists, resulting in numerous infringements of these rights. The government uses direct ownership or ownership by large private companies with links to the government to control or influence the major media outlets, especially television, through direct control and through self-censorship by editors and journalists. This results in restricted access to information about issues deemed sensitive, including coverage of opposition political parties and movements. ====
 * ==== Unsolved murders of journalists, including the murder of respected investigative reporter Anna Politkovskaya in October 2006, have caused significant international concern over the Russian government’s infringement of human rights. ====
 * ==== The Russian constitution provides for freedom of religion, the equality of all religions before the law, and the separation of church and state. More than 70% of Russians identify themselves as Russian Orthodox. While Muslims, Jews, and other religious minorities continue to encounter prejudice and societal discrimination, they have not been inhibited by the government in the free practice of their religion. High-ranking federal officials have condemned anti-Semitic hate crimes, but law enforcement bodies have not always effectively prosecuted those responsible. The Federal Registration Service and some local officials continue to prevent some religious minority groups from registering locally or from acquiring property. Jehovah’s Witnesses, readers of Said Nursi, and Scientologists have all reported problems with registration and harassment. All have also had religious literature declared extremist by regional courts. ====

Regime types

 * ====Federation ====
 * ====Branches of government: Executive- president, prime minister (chairman of the government), Legislative- Federal Assembly (Federation Council, State Duma), Judicial- Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, Supreme Court of Arbitration, Office of Procurator General ====
 * ====History of Slavic States, Tsars, and the USSR ====

Types of economic systems

 * ====Russia is a centrally planned economy moving towards a free market economy. The economy is industrial, with the bulk of its wealth and export earnings made with the help of its rich energy and mineral reserves. ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There is still a huge gap between the rich and the uneducated poor, and this seriously threatens Russia’s development. ====

State building, legitimacy, and stability

 * ====<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Russia is considered relatively stable, on the basis that their military can suppress insurrections, such as the Chechnya. ====

a.)Religion

 * ==== There is a separation of church and state, but Russian Orthodox is looked favorably upon, as some religions are not even allowed to be practiced. ====

b.)Ideology (liberalism, communism, socialism, conservatism, facism)

 * ==== Communism- not a strong source of legitimacy, especially as the international community speculates whether this is a forced ideology. ====