Question 1

What role has civil society played in Russia since the 1917 Revolution? What tools has the state used to control and limit civil society in the last two decades?

Accepted Answer

A good answer will note that Russian civil society was nearly nonexistent pre-1917 due to the structure of society (feudal, agrarian, aristocratic).Civil society was then co-opted by the state during Soviet times, but allowed to organize independent of the state during Gorbachev's reforms in the 1980s.The 1990s saw a flowering of civil society groups and organizations, only to have the state steadily view civil society as a threat beginning in the early 2000s.The state has since used the tax code, restrictions on NGOs, preferential treatment of the Russian Orthodox Church, and especially control of all media companies to limit civil society.

Question 2

Considering the significant power of the Russian presidency, does the national legislature serve any important independent functions in modern Russia? How has the national legislature's role evolved since 1991?

Accepted Answer

A good answer will note that the legislature in Russia does serve a function more independent than its Soviet predecessor.However, while the Duma (lower house) has the power to reject legislation proposed by the government, initiate a vote of no confidence in the government, and not approve a prime minister or government, its power has become more of a rubber stamp since 1991, approving whatever policies the government proposes.

Question 3

Historically, Russia's international identity can be described as

Accepted Answer

A) uncertain as to whether it was part of Asia or the Mediterranean. 
B) uncertain as to whether it was truly a part of Europe. 
C) strongly influenced by Confucianism's spread from China. 
D) strongly influenced by Sufi Islam and Turkish culture. 
A) uncertain as to whether it was part of Asia or the Mediterranean. 
B) uncertain as to whether it was truly a part of Europe. 
C) strongly influenced by Confucianism's spread from China. 
D) strongly influenced by Sufi Islam and Turkish culture. B

Question 4

Civil society in Russia

Accepted Answer

A) remains strong as a legacy of Soviet rule. 
B) has been repressed under Putin. 
C) was weak under Soviet rule but has grown dramatically since then. 
D) has built and supports a vibrant and diverse media. 
A) remains strong as a legacy of Soviet rule. 
B) has been repressed under Putin. 
C) was weak under Soviet rule but has grown dramatically since then. 
D) has built and supports a vibrant and diverse media.

Question 5

Which of the following statements about Russian presidential power is accurate?

Accepted Answer

A) The president both chooses and dismisses the prime minister. 
B) The president can both propose and veto bills. 
C) The president cannot dissolve Parliament in the year following parliamentary elections. 
D) The president appoints the leaders of all of the federal districts. 
A) The president both chooses and dismisses the prime minister. 
B) The president can both propose and veto bills. 
C) The president cannot dissolve Parliament in the year following parliamentary elections. 
D) The president appoints the leaders of all of the federal districts.

Question 6

Which of the following statements about the Russian province of Chechnya is accurate?

Accepted Answer

A) Putin's harsh invasion of Chechnya resulted in his initial loss of the presidency and assuming of the role of prime minister. 
B) Despite its status as an independent republic under the Soviet Union, Chechnya was denied independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union. 
C) Chechnya was able to operate as an independent country in actions, if not in formal status, during much of the 1990s. 
D) Chechnya's ideological identification with the West has in large part led to the numerous invasions by the Russian military. 
A) Putin's harsh invasion of Chechnya resulted in his initial loss of the presidency and assuming of the role of prime minister. 
B) Despite its status as an independent republic under the Soviet Union, Chechnya was denied independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union. 
C) Chechnya was able to operate as an independent country in actions, if not in formal status, during much of the 1990s. 
D) Chechnya's ideological identification with the West has in large part led to the numerous invasions by the Russian military.

Question 7

Lenin consolidated the 1917 revolution in part through the nomenklatura, which were

Accepted Answer

A) the secret police. 
B) the mass armies used to defeat the opponents of the revolution. 
C) the local Soviets that provided grassroots support to the revolution. 
D) politically influential Communists who were given important jobs in the bureaucracy. 
A) the secret police. 
B) the mass armies used to defeat the opponents of the revolution. 
C) the local Soviets that provided grassroots support to the revolution. 
D) politically influential Communists who were given important jobs in the bureaucracy.

Question 8

How does current federalism in Russia compare to federalism prior to Putin's leadership?

Accepted Answer

A) Local governors are now directly appointed by the president and approved by local legislatures; prior to Putin they were directly elected. 
B) New federal districts have absorbed some of the power previously held by republics. 
C) Republic governors can now serve directly on the Federation Council. 
D) Federal districts are now headed by presidential appointees instead of by elected leaders, as was the case before Putin. 
A) Local governors are now directly appointed by the president and approved by local legislatures; prior to Putin they were directly elected. 
B) New federal districts have absorbed some of the power previously held by republics. 
C) Republic governors can now serve directly on the Federation Council. 
D) Federal districts are now headed by presidential appointees instead of by elected leaders, as was the case before Putin.

Question 9

A key institution in Russia's religious and political culture is

Accepted Answer

A) Roman Catholicism. 
B) Orthodox Christianity. 
C) animism. 
D) Protestantism. 
A) Roman Catholicism. 
B) Orthodox Christianity. 
C) animism. 
D) Protestantism.

Question 10

Which of the following statements about the Russian Constitutional Court is accurate?

Accepted Answer

A) Its members are subject to 20-year term limits. 
B) It does not serve as a court of last appeal for criminal cases. 
C) Its members are nominated by the Duma. 
D) It has the power of concrete review but lacks the power of abstract review. 
A) Its members are subject to 20-year term limits. 
B) It does not serve as a court of last appeal for criminal cases. 
C) Its members are nominated by the Duma. 
D) It has the power of concrete review but lacks the power of abstract review.

Question 11

Which of the following was the result of Gorbachev's attempt at reform?

Accepted Answer

A) increased economic growth 
B) membership in the European Union 
C) democratic elections by which the Communists were returned to power 
D) the breakup of the Soviet Union 
A) increased economic growth 
B) membership in the European Union 
C) democratic elections by which the Communists were returned to power 
D) the breakup of the Soviet Union

Question 12

The Commonwealth of Independent States is

Accepted Answer

A) a body used by Russia to retain influence over former Soviet republics. 
B) the post-Soviet military alliance of Russia, Cuba, North Korea, and Vietnam. 
C) the coordinating body that manages relations between the European Union and Russia. 
D) the name for the European Union before it took in Russia as a full member. 
A) a body used by Russia to retain influence over former Soviet republics. 
B) the post-Soviet military alliance of Russia, Cuba, North Korea, and Vietnam. 
C) the coordinating body that manages relations between the European Union and Russia. 
D) the name for the European Union before it took in Russia as a full member.

Question 13

Gorbachev's reforms in the 1980s relied on the policies of glasnost and perestroika, or

Accepted Answer

A) political openness and economic restructuring. 
B) demilitarization and federalism. 
C) multiparty elections and constitutional reform. 
D) economic reform and increased competition with the West. 
A) political openness and economic restructuring. 
B) demilitarization and federalism. 
C) multiparty elections and constitutional reform. 
D) economic reform and increased competition with the West.

Question 14

The Federation Council's primary role is to

Accepted Answer

A) generate legislation. 
B) represent local interests. 
C) serve as the prime minister's cabinet. 
D) advise the president on foreign policy issues. 
A) generate legislation. 
B) represent local interests. 
C) serve as the prime minister's cabinet. 
D) advise the president on foreign policy issues.

Question 15

In which of the following ways has the Russian government sought to combat its demographic problems?

Accepted Answer

A) offering cash payments to Westerners who immigrate to Russia 
B) offering cash bonuses to women who have more than two children 
C) increasing taxes on immigrants who have more than two children 
D) barring all immigration from Asian countries 
A) offering cash payments to Westerners who immigrate to Russia 
B) offering cash bonuses to women who have more than two children 
C) increasing taxes on immigrants who have more than two children 
D) barring all immigration from Asian countries

Question 16

In which institution does most political power lie in Russia?

Accepted Answer

A) president 
B) prime minister 
C) Duma 
D) Federation Council 
A) president 
B) prime minister 
C) Duma 
D) Federation Council

Question 17

Which of the following statements best describes Russia's geography?

Accepted Answer

A) It has few neighboring countries and is surrounded mostly by water. 
B) It has a population larger than that of the European Union or the United States. 
C) It lacks natural resources. 
D) It is much larger, though less populated, than the United States. 
A) It has few neighboring countries and is surrounded mostly by water. 
B) It has a population larger than that of the European Union or the United States. 
C) It lacks natural resources. 
D) It is much larger, though less populated, than the United States.

Question 18

In which of the following ways does the electoral structure under Putin differ from that under President Yeltsin?

Accepted Answer

A) It has two rounds of voting for the Duma instead of a single round. 
B) It is pure proportional representation instead of mixed PR and SMD. 
C) Voters must cast ballots for individual candidates instead of for parties. 
D) Voters must demonstrate registration with a specific pre-approved political party in order to cast a ballot. 
A) It has two rounds of voting for the Duma instead of a single round. 
B) It is pure proportional representation instead of mixed PR and SMD. 
C) Voters must cast ballots for individual candidates instead of for parties. 
D) Voters must demonstrate registration with a specific pre-approved political party in order to cast a ballot.

Question 19

In which of the following ways does Russia's Federation Council differ from the Duma?

Accepted Answer

A) It has more responsibility for protecting the letter of the constitution. 
B) It is capable of overriding a presidential veto, unlike the Duma. 
C) It has control over appointment and approval of the prime minister, which the Duma lacks. 
D) It lacks the power of approval over declarations of war and international treaties, which the Duma possesses. 
A) It has more responsibility for protecting the letter of the constitution. 
B) It is capable of overriding a presidential veto, unlike the Duma. 
C) It has control over appointment and approval of the prime minister, which the Duma lacks. 
D) It lacks the power of approval over declarations of war and international treaties, which the Duma possesses.

Question 20

What is the current state of the "Great Game"?

Accepted Answer

A) Russia is the only constant actor seeking influence in Central Asia. 
B) Russia competes with the United Kingdom over the Middle East. 
C) Russia competes with Britain and the United States over the Middle East and Central Asia. 
D) The United States is the only constant actor, with Russia having given up influence in Afghanistan. 
A) Russia is the only constant actor seeking influence in Central Asia. 
B) Russia competes with the United Kingdom over the Middle East. 
C) Russia competes with Britain and the United States over the Middle East and Central Asia. 
D) The United States is the only constant actor, with Russia having given up influence in Afghanistan.

What role has civil society played in Russia since the 1917 Revolution? What tools has the state used to control and limit civil society in the last two decades?

Considering the significant power of the Russian presidency, does the national legislature serve any important independent functions in modern Russia? How has the national legislature's role evolved since 1991?

Historically, Russia's international identity can be described as

Civil society in Russia

Which of the following statements about Russian presidential power is accurate?

Which of the following statements about the Russian province of Chechnya is accurate?

Lenin consolidated the 1917 revolution in part through the nomenklatura, which were

How does current federalism in Russia compare to federalism prior to Putin's leadership?

A key institution in Russia's religious and political culture is

Which of the following statements about the Russian Constitutional Court is accurate?

Which of the following was the result of Gorbachev's attempt at reform?

The Commonwealth of Independent States is

Gorbachev's reforms in the 1980s relied on the policies of glasnost and perestroika, or

The Federation Council's primary role is to

In which of the following ways has the Russian government sought to combat its demographic problems?

In which institution does most political power lie in Russia?

Which of the following statements best describes Russia's geography?

In which of the following ways does the electoral structure under Putin differ from that under President Yeltsin?

In which of the following ways does Russia's Federation Council differ from the Duma?

What is the current state of the "Great Game"?

Introduction

States

Nations and Society

Political Economy

Political Violence

Democratic Regimes

Developed Democracies

Nondemocratic Regimes

Communism and Postcommunism

Developing Countries

Globalization and the Future of Comparative Politics

United Kingdom

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Exam 13: Russia

What role has civil society played in Russia since the 1917 Revolution? What tools has the state used to control and limit civil society in the last two decades?

Considering the significant power of the Russian presidency, does the national legislature serve any important independent functions in modern Russia? How has the national legislature's role evolved since 1991?

Historically, Russia's international identity can be described as

Civil society in Russia

Which of the following statements about Russian presidential power is accurate?

Which of the following statements about the Russian province of Chechnya is accurate?

Lenin consolidated the 1917 revolution in part through the nomenklatura, which were

How does current federalism in Russia compare to federalism prior to Putin's leadership?

A key institution in Russia's religious and political culture is

Which of the following statements about the Russian Constitutional Court is accurate?

Which of the following was the result of Gorbachev's attempt at reform?

The Commonwealth of Independent States is

Gorbachev's reforms in the 1980s relied on the policies of glasnost and perestroika, or

The Federation Council's primary role is to

In which of the following ways has the Russian government sought to combat its demographic problems?

In which institution does most political power lie in Russia?

Which of the following statements best describes Russia's geography?

In which of the following ways does the electoral structure under Putin differ from that under President Yeltsin?

In which of the following ways does Russia's Federation Council differ from the Duma?

What is the current state of the "Great Game"?

Introduction

States

Nations and Society

Political Economy

Political Violence

Democratic Regimes

Developed Democracies

Nondemocratic Regimes

Communism and Postcommunism

Developing Countries

Globalization and the Future of Comparative Politics

United Kingdom

China

Iran

Mexico

Nigeria

Filters