Political Cleavages in Russia
Introduction
After the collapse of USSR, one of Russia’s most difficult challenges is the systemic social transformation. And in Russia now, there are still many political conflicts caused by inconsistence between the Soviet regime and the new political system. Because of this, there are many political cleavages in Russia: One is between those who are still in favor of the Communist system (KPRF) and those who are satisfied with the present situation (United Russia); one is the split between the Russian nationalist (Slavophile) and those who favor Western/global values (Zapadniki); another one is those who advocates for market liberalism and those who support a planned economy. However, among these three political cleavages, the most influential one is between those who still favors the Communist system and those who are satisfied with the present situation.
After the collapse of USSR, one of Russia’s most difficult challenges is the systemic social transformation. And in Russia now, there are still many political conflicts caused by inconsistence between the Soviet regime and the new political system. Because of this, there are many political cleavages in Russia: One is between those who are still in favor of the Communist system (KPRF) and those who are satisfied with the present situation (United Russia); one is the split between the Russian nationalist (Slavophile) and those who favor Western/global values (Zapadniki); another one is those who advocates for market liberalism and those who support a planned economy. However, among these three political cleavages, the most influential one is between those who still favors the Communist system and those who are satisfied with the present situation.
History
The main cause for the cleavage is because Russia was once a Communist State. After the Russian Revolution in October 1917, the Communist Bolsheviks had gained power and was in charge of USSR since the Russians were disappointed in the failure of policies led by the liberals and moderate socialist. And during the Stalin era, USSR had changes from mixed economy to a command economy, which the government has full control of the economy. However, though people usually viewed a command economy negatively, the economy during the Stalin era is actually more stable and egalitarian compare to before. Therefore, this is why many Russians are nostalgic towards the communist system past then. On the other hand, there are also those who favor the current situation since the collapse of Soviet Union was caused by bad policy making, many people in Russia are against the Communism system.
The main cause for the cleavage is because Russia was once a Communist State. After the Russian Revolution in October 1917, the Communist Bolsheviks had gained power and was in charge of USSR since the Russians were disappointed in the failure of policies led by the liberals and moderate socialist. And during the Stalin era, USSR had changes from mixed economy to a command economy, which the government has full control of the economy. However, though people usually viewed a command economy negatively, the economy during the Stalin era is actually more stable and egalitarian compare to before. Therefore, this is why many Russians are nostalgic towards the communist system past then. On the other hand, there are also those who favor the current situation since the collapse of Soviet Union was caused by bad policy making, many people in Russia are against the Communism system.
Influence on Political Participation:
Being recognized as the successor of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, which is the only legal ruling party during the Soviet Union, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF) is labelled as a communistic party. Though KPRF is now defeated by the United Russia, a merger of the Unity party and Fatherland-All Russia party, KPRF was once the largest party in Russia, and gained the most seats in the 1999 Duma election. But since KPRF oppose to radical market reforms, privatization programs, and Western values, the new generations in Russia did not appreciate it (KPRF) and eventually joined other parties that are either reformist or parties that adopted the Western value, for instance, the Yabloko and the Right Forces. As a result, in 2003’s Duma election, KPRF was defeated by the United Russia since it gained only 55 seats in the Duma while the United Russia gained 222. On the other hand, the United Russia is a conservative party which supports all the policies of the current President, thus, highly associated with President Putin, United Russia is now the most influential and dominating party in Russia.
Being recognized as the successor of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, which is the only legal ruling party during the Soviet Union, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF) is labelled as a communistic party. Though KPRF is now defeated by the United Russia, a merger of the Unity party and Fatherland-All Russia party, KPRF was once the largest party in Russia, and gained the most seats in the 1999 Duma election. But since KPRF oppose to radical market reforms, privatization programs, and Western values, the new generations in Russia did not appreciate it (KPRF) and eventually joined other parties that are either reformist or parties that adopted the Western value, for instance, the Yabloko and the Right Forces. As a result, in 2003’s Duma election, KPRF was defeated by the United Russia since it gained only 55 seats in the Duma while the United Russia gained 222. On the other hand, the United Russia is a conservative party which supports all the policies of the current President, thus, highly associated with President Putin, United Russia is now the most influential and dominating party in Russia.
Social Base of Party Support in Russia
From the Social bases of party support in Russia, we see that 53% of KPRF’s members were 55 or above 55 years old while only 22% are between ages 18-39. On the other hand, 52% of the members in Yabloko party are between ages 18-39, 62% of the members in the Right Forces are between ages 18-39. From this data base, we see that the communist forces in Russia is losing is losing its power.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:%D0%9A%D0%9F%D0%A0%D0%A4_Logo.svg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:United_Russia_Logos.svg
http://www.powershow.com/view/4bbc0-ZDM2N/Politics_in_Russia_powerpoint_ppt_presentation
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vladimir_Putin_12015.jpg
https://bora.uib.no/bitstream/handle/1956/1042/MASTER.pdf?sequence=1
http://nehs-apcompgov.wikispaces.com/Citizens+Russia+Period+3
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:%D0%9A%D0%9F%D0%A0%D0%A4_Logo.svg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:United_Russia_Logos.svg
http://www.powershow.com/view/4bbc0-ZDM2N/Politics_in_Russia_powerpoint_ppt_presentation
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vladimir_Putin_12015.jpg
https://bora.uib.no/bitstream/handle/1956/1042/MASTER.pdf?sequence=1
http://nehs-apcompgov.wikispaces.com/Citizens+Russia+Period+3