Deck 8: Russia

Question 1

The Russian president has the power to

A) issue decrees.
B) call a state of emergency.
C) grant pardons.
D) call referenda.
E) The Russian president has the power to do all of the above.

Answer 1

E

Question 2

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

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.

Answer 2

E

Question 3

Which of the following was NOT an obstacle to the market reforms of the early 1990s?

A) The lack of an effective tax collection system
B) Inadequate state regulation
C) Resistance from regional leaders and oligarchs
D) Continued government subsidization of ineffective operations
E) All of the above were obstacles to the reforms.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

The 1998 financial crisis had which of the following positive effects on Russia?

A) It made Russian products more competitive with imported goods.
B) It resulted in an increase in barter.
C) It led to an increase of foreign aid.
D) It led to an increase of foreign investment in the country.
E) It increased the availability of foreign goods.

Question 5

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

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E) An invitation for Russia to join NATO was rescinded after Russia's intervention in Georgia.

Question 6

Yeltsin's market reform policies involved

A) lifting price controls.
B) encouraging small business and entrepreneurship.
C) privatizing many state industries.
D) opening the economy to global influences.
E) all of the above.

Question 7

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

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 8

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A) Wage differentials have decreased substantially since the economic upturn that began in 1999.
B) The average level of disposable income has decreased steadily since market reforms were introduced in the early 1990s.
C) Many Russians of all age groups question some of the values underlying market reform.
D) Urban residents have been less likely to benefit from market reform than rural residents.
E) All of the above statements are true.

Question 9

The term state capture refers to

A) the Russian state's continued control and ownership of many major firms, particularly in the energy sector.
B) a form of corruption in which firms systemically turn regulations to their advantage through paying off state officials.
C) the ability of the state to capture a large amount of revenue through privatization of state firms.
D) the influence of foreign investors in Russian politics.
E) the ability of state bureaucrats to influence state policy.

Question 10

Which of the following policies was NOT associated with Gorbachev's reform strategy?

A) New thinking
B) Glasnost
C) Perestroika
D) Demokratitizaskiia
E) Nomenklatura

Question 11

Which of the following describes Russia's geographic setting?

A) It is the second largest country in the world.
B) It is rich in natural resources including timber, minerals, and fossil fuels.
C) It is largely an urban country with a high population density.
D) It spans eight time zones.
E) All of the above.

Question 12

Soft authoritarianism refers to

A) a tightening of political controls combined with a loosening of economic controls.
B) the re-emergence of the communist party as a political force in Russia.
C) Russia's increasingly militant actions in its near abroad.
D) a system of informal and formal mechanisms that assure the dominance of a ruling group despite the existence of some forms of political competition and opposition.
E) the use of repressive political controls designed to limit opposition.

Question 13

The current Russian constitution was adopted by

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 14

Two key ideas introduced by Lenin and the Bolsheviks were

A) democratic centralism and the concept of the vanguard party.
B) democratic centralism and socialist reform.
C) socialist centralization and the concept of the vanguard party.
D) the revolution of the proletariat and the concept of the vanguard party.
E) the revolution of the proletariat and democratic centralism.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT true of Russia's semi-presidential system?

A) Generally speaking, the president oversees foreign policy relations with the regions and the organs of state security while the prime minister oversees economic issues.
B) Until 2008, the president was clearly the dominant part of the executive.
C) The prime minister has always been the leader of the dominant party or coalition in the legislature.
D) If the president dies or becomes incapacitated, the prime minister serves as the acting president until presidential elections can be held.
E) The president is directly elected while the prime minister is appointed.

Question 16

The command economy under the Soviet system

A) failed to reduce economic inequality.
B) achieved rapid industrialization.
C) involved state-directed economic planning but not state controls on pricing.
D) opened the country to foreign investment.
E) All of the above statements are true.

Question 17

The term patrimonial state refers to

A) the great overrepresentation of males in state leadership positions.
B) the tradition of authoritarianism which characterized Russian politics until the early 1980s.
C) the personalistic nature of politics during the Soviet era in which one leader was elevated to a top position.
D) the system of government in which the rule treats the state as his personal property.
E) none of the above.

Question 18

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

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 19

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

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 20

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

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 21

Which of the following statements about Russian political parties is NOT true?

A) Virtually all major parties have not challenged either political or economic reform, although they do differ over the pace and costs of these.
B) Regional parties, especially in those regions with large Muslim populations, have emerged to become important players in Russian politics.
C) Russian political parties do not fit neatly on a left-right spectrum because nationalistic sentiments crosscut economic ideologies.
D) Parties initially formed around prominent individuals.
E) Although the country maintains a competitive multiparty system, since 2003, a single-party has emerged as the dominant party.

Question 22

The siloviki refers to

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.

Question 23

Members of the Duma are elected

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 24

Who makes up the State Council?

A) The president, prime minister, and chairs of important legislative committees
B) The ministers in the government
C) The heads of the regions of Russia
D) Ministers involved with foreign affairs and security
E) Anyone the president chooses to appoint to this largely ceremonial body

Question 25

Which of the following is NOT true?

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 26

Which of the following statements about the Russian Constitutional Court is NOT true?

A) Yeltsin suspended its operations in 1993.
B) It has the power to adjudicate disputes on the constitutionality of federal and regional laws.
C) Although it has a record of protecting individual rights and addressing the constitutionality of regional laws, it has been cautious in confronting the executive.
D) Its judges are nominated by the president but must be approved by the Federation Council.
E) Its power is weakened because it cannot rule on jurisdictional disputes between government institutions.

Question 27

The phrase power vertical refers to the idea that

A) a single party or party bloc should dominate politics.
B) there should exist an integrated and hierarchal structure of executive power ranging from the national to the local level.
C) political power should flow upward from "the people."
D) federal officials should be free to interfere with regional politics.
E) regional governments should have some say in the making of federal policy and the federal government should have some say in the making of regional policy.

Question 28

Which of the following is NOT a factor that helps to explain why United Russia has become the dominant political 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 29

Which of the following has played the least important role 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 30

The military has directly usurped civilian power

A) never in either the either the Soviet or post-Soviet era.
B) only once in 1991.
C) only during the Soviet era.
D) only in Russia's regions during states of emergency.
E) only in Chechnya.

Question 31

The Russian prime minister can be removed from office

A) by a single vote of no confidence.
B) by three repeat votes of no confidence within a three-month period.
C) by two repeat votes of no confidence within a three-month period.
D) only through new legislative elections.
E) by a complex process involving the parliament, the president, and the Supreme Court.

Question 32

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

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 33

The Federation Council is comprised of

A) Two members from each of Russia's federal regions and republics with one being appointed by the region's/republic's executive and the other by the region's/republic's legislature.
B) Members from each of Russia's federal regions and republics, with the number from each being proportional to the region's or republic's population.
C) Two members from each of Russia's federal regions and republics, both of whom are elected through regional elections.
D) Two members from each of Russia's federal regions and republics, with one being chosen through regional elections and one being appointed by the region's/republic's government.
E) Two members from each of Russia's federal regions and republics, appointed by the Russian president.

Question 34

Which of the following best describes liberal/reform parties?

A) They have generally become marginalized since 2003.
B) They traditionally drew their support from the young, well-educated, urban dwellers and the well-off.
C) In the eyes of many Russians, they have become associated with policies that led to Russia's economic decline.
D) They have had difficulty running under a uniform and consistent party name.
E) All of the above.

Question 35

Which of the following statements about the Russian policy-making process is TRUE?

A) Whereas during the Yeltsin era, oligarchs were able to exert considerable influence, this has been reduced during the Putin-Medvedev era.
B) Whereas during the Yeltsin era, conflict between the president and the executive made policy-making contentious, under both Putin and Medvedev, the legislature has generally followed the executive's lead.
C) A persistent problem has involved the inefficacy of policy implementation.
D) Policy-making has largely been under the guidance of executive bodies with little input from societal groups or political parties.
E) All of the above statements are true.

Question 36

Putin has sought to assure greater federal authority over the regions by

A) creating federal districts to oversee the regions.
B) removing regional executives from the Federation Council.
C) eliminating the popular election of regional executives.
D) removing several recalcitrant regional executives from office.
E) all of the above.

Question 37

Asymmetrical federalism refers to

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 38

The Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) is best described as

A) a Russian nationalist party.
B) a party with a liberal and democratic platform.
C) a party that promotes Western-style social democracy.
D) the dominant party in Russia.
E) the party most committed to civil liberties and individual rights.

Question 39

The Presidium is

A) the formal name of the Russian prime minister's cabinet.
B) a small body that acts as the executive committee of the larger cabinet.
C) the name given to the collection of various deputy prime ministers.
D) the name of the upper chamber of the Russian legislature.
E) the name given to the body of unelected advisors surrounding the president.

Question 40

A Just Russia is best described as a

A) centrist party that was formed from above to help undermine opposition parties that might threaten United Russia.
B) nationalist party that was formed to counter the Liberal Democratic Party.
C) liberal/reform party that supports assertive Western-style market reform and political norms.
D) traditional left party that is highly critical of market reform.
E) a unique party whose platform combines support for Western-style political norms and a criticism of the costs of economic reform.

Question 41

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

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 42

____________ comprise the largest ethnic minority group.

A) Tatars
B) Chechens
C) Bashkirs
D) Ukrainians
E) Jews

Question 43

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

Question 44

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.

Question 45

Russia has sought to re-establish itself as a respected regional leader by

A) actively interfering in the internal politics of its neighbors.
B) establishing regional organizations to strengthen the relations between Russia and other former Soviet republics.
C) increasing trade with its neighboring former Soviet republics.
D) adopting stances at the United Nations which correspond to the interests of its neighbors.
E) Russian has sought to re-establish itself as a respected regional leader by doing all of the above.

Question 46

Discuss the factors that have inhibited the development of strong competing political parties in post-communist Russia. Do you consider the development of strong parties to be important or not? How does the rise of United Russia to its current position as the dominant party affect your argument?

Question 47

Ethnic Russians make up about _________ percent of the population of Russia.

A) 50
B) 60
C) 90
D) 80
E) 40

Question 48

Which of the following is NOT true?

A) Up until 2003, national elections in Russia were generally considered to be reasonably free and fair.
B) Voters have always had the option of voting against all of the candidates or parties in national elections.
C) National election laws effectively disqualify small national parties and regional parties.
D) Although the country has held regular elections, Russia has yet to experience a real transfer of power from one political grouping to another.
E) Voter turnout in national elections is fairly high.

Question 49

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

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

Question 50

Most Russians attribute terrorist attacks in Russia to

A) Al Qaeda.
B) Chechen separatist forces.
C) Right-wing Russian nationalists.
D) Western-sponsored groups.
E) Afghan rebel groups.

Question 51

Sovereign democracy refers to the idea that

A) political sovereignty ultimately rests with the Russian people.
B) Russia is a sovereign and independent state.
C) democracy in Russia should be adapted to Russian traditions.
D) the sovereignty of the Russian people is best expressed through democratic means.
E) political power in Russia should be vested in a single sovereign at the national level.

Question 52

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?

Question 53

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?

Question 54

How have Russian leaders adapted their country's policies to their country's loss of superpower status? What have been the main policy directions Russia has taken to forge a new international role for itself?

Question 55

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A) Attitudes towards gender roles in Russia generally reflect traditional values.
B) An illustration of a conflict between traditional values and reform can be seen in the advertising that represents women as sex objects.
C) Since 1991, a number of organizations have sprung up to represent women's issues.
D) Women are severely underrepresented in the Duma, which is reflective of the traditional patriarchal values of the country.
E) All of the above statements are true.

Question 56

Which of the following is TRUE?

A) Several television channels are either directly or indirectly owned by the state thus limiting the role of the media as a public watchdog.
B) Russia ranks as the third-most dangerous country for journalists in the world.
C) According to Reporters without Borders, Russia ranks very low in terms of press freedom.
D) There has been an increasing control of major media outlets by groups close to Putin.
E) All of the above statements are true.