Welcome to Dr. Albert's class blog for POLS 3201, Government and Politics of Post-Communist Russia!
This blog is class specific. If you are not in the 3201 class, please do not request to be a member of this page. Students, this blog is where you can ask and answer questions from the readings, ask me questions for further clarification, and most importantly, post reflections from our classes, field trips, and your own personal free time during which you may find something that relates to this class. This is a professional forum, and should only be used in this context. This blog spot will be our main source of communication throughout the lead up to the trip, and during the trip as well. More to come soon!
This picture reminds me of one of the allegorical statues of another Russian leader located in the Peter and Paul Fortress in St. Petersburg.
ReplyDeleteIt is funny I was thinking that the way Putin sits looks like the Lincoln memorial...Any who.... I was dabbling into the reading last night of the book "Politics In Russia" and I was reading about the clear abuse of power that Putin and Medvedev have over Russia. It makes me wonder if Russians read about our politics and see abuse just as clearly.. but we as Americans refuse to see it...I don't know why but this thought blows my mind. Also while reading about the fall of the Soviet Union, where each state declared independence from the Soviet Union, am I too far off to say that it would be possible for the US to experience the same thing... I we made it a bit farther than the Soviet Union, but the US as a country is still relatively young.
DeletePutin is a very strong leader with a history of dictatorial tendencies, but I think it can be argued that a lot of Russians like him because he represents a type of leadership that is very historical for the country. From the Vikings to the tsars to the USSR, Russia has always had a history of very strong, heavyhanded government and I think United Russia is just an extension of that.
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ReplyDeleteThis made me laugh...
There seems to be a lot going on in St. Petersburg politically right now. There have been several protests lately against election results and Putin seems to be the main target. One interesting thing I saw was that they are working on a Eurasian Union that would create a single currency, like the Euro but, they would "establish a common central authority overseeing the fiscal policy in each of the bloc's countries, something eurozone countries don't have". That might be smart. Another thing I noticed from the pictures is that it looks pretty dirty. I am guessing that the touristy areas are cleaner, but is it dirty with trash and litter if you go out of those areas?
ReplyDeleteI wonder how they will structure the Eurasian Union. They may put a hold on it until they can figure out how the European Union will handle single currencies. I once visited Savannah and what struck me was how clean the historical distract was but once I left it I found out that the rest of the city looked more run down.
DeleteOk so I have a question that needs a bit of clarification.. I am on Ch 10 of the readings and I am a bit confused about how to explain Russian Federalism. I understand the definition of the word but what I don't understand is how Russia's government system is set up. I know that the US have states and each govern themselves but are subject to the federal government... but how does Russia do the same thing.. how is Russia divided and then unified?
ReplyDeleteThe Sakwa text described Russian federalism as more of a "confederacy" than a republic. From what I understand the main republics are almost completely autonomous, with the exception that they must adhere to the laws of the Federation. The executive branch likely has a major role in holding the republics together by defining national prerogatives. The republics have little reason not to be part of this union, although I am interested in finding out how the less autonomous territories function in the system.
DeleteCan we go here during the tour on Sunday?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sptimes.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=35869
I second this idea!!
ReplyDeleteI know in the "Politics in Russia" book it talks about how Putin and Medvedev get a long and for the most part agree with how Russia is controlled by the two of them. However,I feel like that shared control cannot last forever. So I am wondering what would happen to Russia if these two very powerful, controlling men began to disagree in way that could affect one of their political careers, will one just make the other disappear or will the one that is best suited to be in charge prevail.
ReplyDeletePutin has done a lot to improve Russia since Yeltsin's presidency. I understand why he would want to make Medvedev president after him because, if I were him, I would want to know that something that I worked so hard at rebuilding would be in the hands of someone who thinks like me. Medvedev is a little more liberal than Putin but I believe that they both love Russia and want what's best for it. Speaking about the Eurasian Union, I think that it's another way of trying to form a communist state. It gives power to one person to run the previous Soviet Union domain and unify them.
ReplyDeleteToday i got to ask one of the tutors what their opinions on the Russo-Gerogian war were and they had an interesting take on it. They said that they dont really listen to what the government says about the incident since it is very politically oriented and more than likely a lie. Also she said that both sides seem to be in the wrong and that most current events are this skewed. I encourage everyone to ask the tutors what their "Russian" perspective is on different things. Be sure to ask them what the American stereotype is. It is more true than i would like to believe.
ReplyDeleteThat is interesting about the Russian perspective on the Russo-Georgian War. I guess when you've had a history of political manipulation like Russia has, you just learn to take everything you hear with a grain of salt.
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ReplyDeleteShe was in the text today.