Question 1

Which of the following might be taken as evidence for Russia's restrictions on the role of interest groups?

Accepted Answer

A)  Increased government supervision of such groups 
B)  Channeling public activism through official forums like the Civic Forum and the Public Chamber 
C)  Restricting the activities of foreign noncommercial nongovernmental organizations operating in the country 
D)  The arresting of prominent opposition figures 
E)  All of the above 
A)  Increased government supervision of such groups 
B)  Channeling public activism through official forums like the Civic Forum and the Public Chamber 
C)  Restricting the activities of foreign noncommercial nongovernmental organizations operating in the country 
D)  The arresting of prominent opposition figures 
E)  All of the above E

Question 2

Which of the following best describes Russia's relations with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)?

Accepted Answer

A)  Russia has expressed a desire to join the organization but has not yet made a formal move towards this. 
B)  Russia has objected to the expansion of the organization but has nevertheless developed stronger working relations with it. 
C)  Russia has been receptive to the expansion of NATO. 
D)  Russia has been formally invited to join the organization. 
E)  An invitation for Russia to join NATO was rescinded after Russia's intervention in Georgia. 
A)  Russia has expressed a desire to join the organization but has not yet made a formal move towards this. 
B)  Russia has objected to the expansion of the organization but has nevertheless developed stronger working relations with it. 
C)  Russia has been receptive to the expansion of NATO. 
D)  Russia has been formally invited to join the organization. 
E)  An invitation for Russia to join NATO was rescinded after Russia's intervention in Georgia. B

Question 3

Tensions between Russia and the United States have emerged recently as a result of

Accepted Answer

A)  Russia's opposition to American involvement in Iraq. 
B)  American support for admitting countries like the Ukraine and Georgia into NATO. 
C)  American plans to install an antimissile system in Central Europe. 
D)  Russia's military intervention in Georgia. 
E)  all of the above. 
A)  Russia's opposition to American involvement in Iraq. 
B)  American support for admitting countries like the Ukraine and Georgia into NATO. 
C)  American plans to install an antimissile system in Central Europe. 
D)  Russia's military intervention in Georgia. 
E)  all of the above. E

Question 4

The current Russian constitution was adopted by

Accepted Answer

A)  a referendum. 
B)  presidential decree. 
C)  a constitutional convention. 
D)  a vote in the country's legislature. 
E)  regional leaders following the collapse of the Soviet Union. 
A)  a referendum. 
B)  presidential decree. 
C)  a constitutional convention. 
D)  a vote in the country's legislature. 
E)  regional leaders following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT true of the labor movement in Russia?

Accepted Answer

A)  The official trade unions established under communist rule have survived, although it no longer has any corporatist representation in any of the major parties. 
B)  Independent trade unions have emerged at the local level. 
C)  The decline in the number of strikes suggests that the movement is unable to support sustained political action. 
D)  Political parties actively seek the support of working class organizations such as unions because social class remains a major part of Russian national identity. 
E)  The FITU (Federation of Independent Trade Unions) has lost the confidence of large parts of the workforce. 
A)  The official trade unions established under communist rule have survived, although it no longer has any corporatist representation in any of the major parties. 
B)  Independent trade unions have emerged at the local level. 
C)  The decline in the number of strikes suggests that the movement is unable to support sustained political action. 
D)  Political parties actively seek the support of working class organizations such as unions because social class remains a major part of Russian national identity. 
E)  The FITU (Federation of Independent Trade Unions) has lost the confidence of large parts of the workforce.

Question 6

Which of the following BEST characterizes the Communist party of the Russian Federation?

Accepted Answer

A)  It continues to be an important party in the country although its success at the polls has slipped over the years. 
B)  It draws its support from older Russians, the economically disadvantaged and rural residents. 
C)  It lacks a charismatic leader. 
D)  It has thus far been unable to capitalize on social democratic sentiments in the country. 
E)  All of the above characterize the party. 
A)  It continues to be an important party in the country although its success at the polls has slipped over the years. 
B)  It draws its support from older Russians, the economically disadvantaged and rural residents. 
C)  It lacks a charismatic leader. 
D)  It has thus far been unable to capitalize on social democratic sentiments in the country. 
E)  All of the above characterize the party.

Question 7

Which of the following has played the least important role in Russian elections?

Accepted Answer

A)  Educational levels of voters 
B)  Attitudes towards economic policy 
C)  Religious attitudes 
D)  Voter concerns about national identity 
E)  All of the above have played equally important roles in Russian elections. 
A)  Educational levels of voters 
B)  Attitudes towards economic policy 
C)  Religious attitudes 
D)  Voter concerns about national identity 
E)  All of the above have played equally important roles in Russian elections.

Question 8

Members of the Duma are elected

Accepted Answer

A)  through direct national elections that operate under first-pass-the-post (single member district-plurality) rules. 
B)  through direct national elections that operate under proportional representation. 
C)  in staggered intervals so that only a portion of the chamber is up for reelection at any given time. 
D)  at the same time as the president. 
E)  through closed elections held by each party. 
A)  through direct national elections that operate under first-pass-the-post (single member district-plurality) rules. 
B)  through direct national elections that operate under proportional representation. 
C)  in staggered intervals so that only a portion of the chamber is up for reelection at any given time. 
D)  at the same time as the president. 
E)  through closed elections held by each party.

Question 9

How have executive-legislative relations changed in post-communist Russia? Have such changes strengthened or weakened democratization?

Accepted Answer

Executive-legislative relations in post-

Question 10

Which of the following benefits of the Soviet era social welfare system has been maintained?

Accepted Answer

A)  Guaranteed employment 
B)  Price subsidies for most products 
C)  Universal health care 
D)  Low levels of income inequality 
E)  None of the above 
A)  Guaranteed employment 
B)  Price subsidies for most products 
C)  Universal health care 
D)  Low levels of income inequality 
E)  None of the above

Question 11

Which of the following was a feature of the country during the Stalin era?

Accepted Answer

A)  Collectivization of agriculture 
B)  Rapid industrialization which favored heavy industries 
C)  The development of satellite states in Eastern Europe 
D)  Increased personal control of the party by its leader as indicated by purges 
E)  All of the above 
A)  Collectivization of agriculture 
B)  Rapid industrialization which favored heavy industries 
C)  The development of satellite states in Eastern Europe 
D)  Increased personal control of the party by its leader as indicated by purges 
E)  All of the above

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a factor that helps to explain why United Russia has become the dominant political party in the country?

Accepted Answer

A)  The party is strongly associated with Putin who is quite popular among Russians. 
B)  It is supported by prominent people including the heads of Russia's regions. 
C)  It has a rather poorly defined program that appeals to many across the political spectrum. 
D)  It is well organized at the local level. 
E)  All of the above explain why United Russia has become the dominant party in the country. 
A)  The party is strongly associated with Putin who is quite popular among Russians. 
B)  It is supported by prominent people including the heads of Russia's regions. 
C)  It has a rather poorly defined program that appeals to many across the political spectrum. 
D)  It is well organized at the local level. 
E)  All of the above explain why United Russia has become the dominant party in the country.

Question 13

Russia may be said to have simultaneously begun four transitions: democratization, market reform, a redefinition of national identity, and integration into the world economy. Write an essay that provides a balance sheet as to Russia's status in each of these transitions. In which transition has Russia made the most progress? In which transition is Russia the weakest?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Russia may be said to have simultaneously...

Question 14

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Although Russia has had some success in attracting foreign investment, the level of this is low when compared to other former communist countries. 
B)  Whereas in the early 1990s, the bulk of Russia's trade was with other former Soviet republics like the Ukraine, today it is with European Union countries. 
C)  Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia received substantial foreign assistance from Western governments and international economic institutions. 
D)  Russia has never defaulted on its foreign loan obligations. 
E)  The majority of Russia's exports are fuels and other energy resources. 
A)  Although Russia has had some success in attracting foreign investment, the level of this is low when compared to other former communist countries. 
B)  Whereas in the early 1990s, the bulk of Russia's trade was with other former Soviet republics like the Ukraine, today it is with European Union countries. 
C)  Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia received substantial foreign assistance from Western governments and international economic institutions. 
D)  Russia has never defaulted on its foreign loan obligations. 
E)  The majority of Russia's exports are fuels and other energy resources.

Question 15

Asymmetrical federalism refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  a situation that developed in the 1990s in Russia where some subnational governments had greater or lesser power than others. 
B)  the constitutional provision that allows the central government to replace governing institutions of subnational governments. 
C)  the principle that federal law takes precedence over regional law in Russia. 
D)  the constitutional provision that allows the federal legislature to overturn regional laws. 
E)  the idea that political power in Russia rests at the subnational level. 
A)  a situation that developed in the 1990s in Russia where some subnational governments had greater or lesser power than others. 
B)  the constitutional provision that allows the central government to replace governing institutions of subnational governments. 
C)  the principle that federal law takes precedence over regional law in Russia. 
D)  the constitutional provision that allows the federal legislature to overturn regional laws. 
E)  the idea that political power in Russia rests at the subnational level.

Question 16

How have center-periphery (national-regional) relations changed in post-communist Russia? What have been the political effects of this change? In light of this, can one argue that Russia is truly a federal system?

Accepted Answer

The center-periphery relations in post-c

Question 17

Which of the following statements best describes Soviet politics during the post-Stalin era until the rise of Gorbachev in 1985?

Accepted Answer

A)  There was an increased effort to allow foreign ideas to influence cultural affairs. 
B)  Internal party structures were decentralized allowing the rise of regional leaders who were less beholden to the central party. 
C)  The period saw the development of a more predictable and relatively stable authoritarian system. 
D)  Economic growth continued to grow at a steady pace although living standards improved only minimally as the state and party tended to draw resources away from the people. 
E)  All of the above. 
A)  There was an increased effort to allow foreign ideas to influence cultural affairs. 
B)  Internal party structures were decentralized allowing the rise of regional leaders who were less beholden to the central party. 
C)  The period saw the development of a more predictable and relatively stable authoritarian system. 
D)  Economic growth continued to grow at a steady pace although living standards improved only minimally as the state and party tended to draw resources away from the people. 
E)  All of the above.

Question 18

It may be argued that history has had a tremendous negative effect on Russia's political transition. Citing specific examples, illustrate how several historical factors have inhibited the development of democracy in Russia.

Accepted Answer

There are several historical factors tha

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Despite privatization, public or semipublic ownership of firms continues in some economic sectors including television, energy, and telecommunications. 
B)  While private clinics and hospitals have emerged, a state-run system of medical care is still in place. 
C)  A large portion of the country's housing is municipally owned. 
D)  Russia's universities remain largely public institutions funded chiefly through the state. 
E)  The executives of most public and semipublic institutions, especially those in the economic sector, are appointed through politically independent boards. 
A)  Despite privatization, public or semipublic ownership of firms continues in some economic sectors including television, energy, and telecommunications. 
B)  While private clinics and hospitals have emerged, a state-run system of medical care is still in place. 
C)  A large portion of the country's housing is municipally owned. 
D)  Russia's universities remain largely public institutions funded chiefly through the state. 
E)  The executives of most public and semipublic institutions, especially those in the economic sector, are appointed through politically independent boards.

Question 20

The siloviki refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  the Soviet era personnel system that assured party control of the bureaucracy. 
B)  the merit-based civil service system introduced under Putin. 
C)  career bureaucrats in Russia. 
D)  government officials drawn from the security and intelligence services who were recruited to important political posts under Putin. 
E)  the bureaucracy of regional governments. 
A)  the Soviet era personnel system that assured party control of the bureaucracy. 
B)  the merit-based civil service system introduced under Putin. 
C)  career bureaucrats in Russia. 
D)  government officials drawn from the security and intelligence services who were recruited to important political posts under Putin. 
E)  the bureaucracy of regional governments.

Which of the following might be taken as evidence for Russia's restrictions on the role of interest groups?

Which of the following best describes Russia's relations with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)?

Tensions between Russia and the United States have emerged recently as a result of

The current Russian constitution was adopted by

Which of the following is NOT true of the labor movement in Russia?

Which of the following BEST characterizes the Communist party of the Russian Federation?

Which of the following has played the least important role in Russian elections?

Members of the Duma are elected

How have executive-legislative relations changed in post-communist Russia? Have such changes strengthened or weakened democratization?

Which of the following benefits of the Soviet era social welfare system has been maintained?

Which of the following was a feature of the country during the Stalin era?

Which of the following is NOT a factor that helps to explain why United Russia has become the dominant political party in the country?

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

Asymmetrical federalism refers to

How have center-periphery (national-regional) relations changed in post-communist Russia? What have been the political effects of this change? In light of this, can one argue that Russia is truly a federal system?

Which of the following statements best describes Soviet politics during the post-Stalin era until the rise of Gorbachev in 1985?

It may be argued that history has had a tremendous negative effect on Russia's political transition. Citing specific examples, illustrate how several historical factors have inhibited the development of democracy in Russia.

Which of the following is NOT true?

The siloviki refers to

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Exam 8: Russia

Which of the following might be taken as evidence for Russia's restrictions on the role of interest groups?

Which of the following best describes Russia's relations with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)?

Tensions between Russia and the United States have emerged recently as a result of

The current Russian constitution was adopted by

Which of the following is NOT true of the labor movement in Russia?

Which of the following BEST characterizes the Communist party of the Russian Federation?

Which of the following has played the least important role in Russian elections?

Members of the Duma are elected

How have executive-legislative relations changed in post-communist Russia? Have such changes strengthened or weakened democratization?

Which of the following benefits of the Soviet era social welfare system has been maintained?

Which of the following was a feature of the country during the Stalin era?

Which of the following is NOT a factor that helps to explain why United Russia has become the dominant political party in the country?

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

Asymmetrical federalism refers to

How have center-periphery (national-regional) relations changed in post-communist Russia? What have been the political effects of this change? In light of this, can one argue that Russia is truly a federal system?

Which of the following statements best describes Soviet politics during the post-Stalin era until the rise of Gorbachev in 1985?

It may be argued that history has had a tremendous negative effect on Russia's political transition. Citing specific examples, illustrate how several historical factors have inhibited the development of democracy in Russia.

Which of the following is NOT true?

The siloviki refers to

Introducing Comparative Politics

Britain

France

Germany

Japan

India

The United States

Brazil

Mexico

South Africa

Nigeria

Iran

China

Filters