Download Russian Federation - Academic Web Services

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Erik Rodriguez Cerda
POL 2H
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Gained independence from Soviet Union on August 24,
1991
Constitution was drafted on July 12, 1993 and adopted by
referendum on December 12, 1993 (amended in 2008)
Universal suffrage at age 18
Civil law system and judicial review of legislation
 Capital
is Moscow
 Central government is
organized as a
federation (46
provinces, 21
republics, 4
autonomous okrugs, 9
krays, 2 federal cities,
1 autonomous oblast)
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Government divided into 3
branches
Executive branch currently
headed by Vladimir Putin
(chief of state, won May 2012
election with 63.6% of vote)
Served as president from
2000 – 2008, prime minster
from 2008 – 2012, and is
currently serving president
Under previous constitution,
term was limited to 4 years.
However, after 2008
amendment, term was
expanded to 6 years
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Premier of government is Dmitriy Medvedev (appointed by
Vladimir Putin)
o Was previously President from 2008 – 2012, during which Putin
served as prime minister
Cabinet is composed of premier, deputies, and ministers; all of which
are appointed by president and confirmed by the Duma
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Legislative branch divided into bicameral assembly
consisting of an upper house (Federation council), and a
lower house (State Duma)
Federation Council
o 166 seats, with two representatives from each district. These are
not elected by population, but instead chosen by top executive and
legislative officials from that district. No set term lengths, terms
determined by region represented.
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State Duma
o 450 seats, with members winning seats via proportional
representation from parties winning at least 7% of vote. Elected by
popular vote to serve 5 year terms.
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The highest courts are the Supreme Court of the Russian
Federation (consists of 23 members), Constitutional Court
(19 members), Superior Court of Arbitration (consists of a
chairman and 4 deputy chairmen)
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78 political parties are registered, but only four have
representation in the national legislature
The leading party (represented in the Duma) is United
Russia, which controls 49.6% and 238 seats
The Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF)
holds around 19.2% and holds 92 seats
Just Russia has 13.2% and 64 seats
The smallest of the major parties is the Liberal Democratic
Party of Russia (LDPR), which owns 11.7% and 56 seats in
the Duma.
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After the fall the Soviet Union, economy was moved from
centrally planned to more free market regulated economy,
with movement to privatize industry (with the exception of
energy and military)
This resulted in the creation of oligarchs who controlled
much of the media, business, and some energy
Vladimir Putin moved to break up these oligarch’s influence
and power, but ended up shifting much of it to his close
group of associates
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Russia’s main exports include: Oil and oil products, natural
gas, wood and wood products, metals, chemicals, weapons
and military equipment
o Top export partners: Netherlands 14.6%, China 6.8%, Germany
6.8%, Italy 6.2%, Turkey 5.2%, Ukraine 5.2%, Belarus 4.7%
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The state-run gas supplier, Gazprom, is the largest supplier
in the world, and is directly responsible for much of
Europe’s needs
Since so much emphasis is placed on oil and other raw
exports, rises and drops in prices have a tremendous
impact on the economy
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GDP: $2.553 trillion (compared to the U.S. $16.72 trillion
(2013 est.)
GDP - per capita: $18,100 (compared to U.S. $52,800
2013 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 4.2%,
industry: 37.5%, services: 58.3% (compared to U.S.
agriculture: 1.1%, industry: 19.5%, services: 79.4% (2013
est.)
Labor Force: 75.29 million (compared to U.S. 155.4 million)
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Life expectancy is 63 years for men, 75 years for women
Around 78% of the population is composed of white
Russians
o The remaining percentage is made up of various ethnic groups,
including :Tatar 3.7%, Ukrainian 1.4%, Bashkir 1.1%, Chuvash 1%,
Chechen 1%, other 10.2%, unspecified 3.9% (overall, more than
190 different groups were recorded in the 2010 census)
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The largest religion is Orthodox Christianity, followed by
Islam
o Russian Orthodox 15-20%, Muslim 10-15%, other Christian 2%
(2006 est.) [These numbers represent practicing worshippers]
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Population: 142,470,272 (July 2014 est.) (compared to U.S.
318.9 million)
Health expenditures: 6.2% of GDP (2011) [country
comparison to the world: 103]
Education expenditures: 4.1% of GDP (2008) [country
comparison to the world: 110]
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
o total population: 99.7% [male: 99.7%, female: 99.6% (2010 est.)]
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Many environmental issues facing Russia, most of which
date back to Soviet rule
75% of surface water and 50% of all water is contaminated,
as only 8% of wastewater is treated before being returned
to water sources
Much of Russia uses nuclear energy, but because of
outdated technology and lack of funding, most plants are
extremely unsafe and do not do a good job of eliminating
waste properly
o Most waste was simply dumped into the Sea of Japan up until 1993
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Most of Russia’s energy comes from fossil fuels (68% of
total)
There are renewable sources, but they are vastly
underdeveloped
o The potential for solar power is around 2.3 trillion tce, or 20% of
total power output, instead of current 1%
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Total carbon emissions are about 11.6 tonnes per capita
(US is 16.2 tonnes per capita)
Municipal waste per capita is about 563 kilograms per
capita (US is 725 kilograms per capita)