Russia has always been a country shaped by authoritarian to totalitarian power structures during its history. Already under the rule of Tsar Nicholas II. the population wanted to break away from their autocratic forms of rule. An improvement in prosperity for the benefit of the population was hoped with the October Revolution in 1917. But the seizure of power by the Bolsheviks under the leadership of Lenin did not achieve the equality of the population hoped for by the communist ideology. The degree of autocracy and repression against the own citizenship especially under Stalin has intensified and turned into totalitarianism. After the death of the dictator Stalin it was slowly possible to break away from the strongly totalitarian structures, but not to become a liberal democracy until now.
With the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 initial developments towards democratization under Gorbachev and Yeltsin who was the first free elected president has happened. But since the rule of Putin and Medvedev since 2000 a development towards authoritarian structures has been recognizable. These structures have strengthened over the years as Putin has secured his rule as a de facto sole autocrat through constitutional reforms. In the following essay applying the theories of Juan Linz of authoritarianism and totalitarianism and the theory of defective democracy from Wolfgang Merkel first will be defined which characteristics make up an authoritarian regime and how they distinguish themselves from totalitarianism. This analysis will then be carried out primarily about the historical developments of Russia and their current status in 2022. Evaluations of the Country Report 2022 from the portal Freedom House will finally present the current degree of freedom and democracy in Russia.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Features of Authoritarianism and Totalitarianism
- 2.1 Definitions according to Juan Linz
- 2.2 Defective democracy according to Wolfgang Merkel
- 3. Analysis of the form of rule from Lenin until Putin
- 3.1 October Revolution in 1917
- 3.2 Russia under the totalitarian regime of Stalin (1927-1953)
- 3.3 The End of the Soviet Union and the beginning of the Russian Federation (1953-1999)
- 3.4 The current situation under Putin (2000-now)
- 4. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay analyzes the historical development of Russia's political system from Lenin to Putin, examining its evolution from authoritarianism to totalitarianism and back towards authoritarianism. It aims to assess the degree of authoritarianism present in Russia today using the theoretical frameworks of Juan Linz and Wolfgang Merkel.
- Evolution of Russian political systems from Lenin to Putin
- Comparison of authoritarianism and totalitarianism using Linz's framework
- Application of Merkel's concept of "defective democracy" to the Russian context
- Analysis of the current state of freedom and democracy in Russia
- The role of ideology and mentality in shaping Russian political systems
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the essay by establishing the historical context of Russia's authoritarian and totalitarian regimes. It highlights the desire for change following Tsarist rule and the unmet expectations of the October Revolution. The chapter emphasizes the intensification of autocracy and repression under Stalin, the subsequent attempts at democratization, and the eventual return to authoritarian structures under Putin. The introduction clearly lays out the essay’s central question—how authoritarian is modern Russia—and previews the methodology, emphasizing the use of Linz's and Merkel's theories to analyze Russia's historical trajectory and its current political status in 2022. This serves as a roadmap to the subsequent chapters, establishing the importance of examining the differences between authoritarianism and totalitarianism to adequately assess the current Russian political landscape.
2. Features of Authoritarianism and Totalitarianism: This chapter lays the theoretical groundwork for the subsequent historical analysis. It delves into the definitions of authoritarianism and totalitarianism proposed by Juan Linz, focusing on key distinctions such as the limited pluralism in authoritarian regimes versus the complete ideological control of totalitarian ones. Linz's emphasis on the role of "mentality" versus "ideology" in shaping these systems is carefully examined. The chapter also introduces Wolfgang Merkel's concept of "defective democracy," which provides an additional framework to analyze regimes that outwardly appear democratic but suffer from significant internal flaws. By presenting these two theoretical perspectives, this chapter provides a robust analytical lens through which to examine the complexities of Russian political development throughout its history.
3. Analysis of the form of rule from Lenin until Putin: This chapter constitutes the core of the essay, offering a historical overview of Russian governance from the October Revolution to the present day. It explores the various stages of Russian political evolution, starting with the Bolshevik seizure of power under Lenin. This chapter assesses the totalitarian regime under Stalin, highlighting the extreme repression and control exerted over the populace and the deeply ingrained ideological elements that were key features of this era. It then traces the gradual shift following Stalin's death, examining the developments towards democratization under Gorbachev and Yeltsin. Finally, the analysis moves to the more recent authoritarian consolidation of power under Putin, noting the ways in which he secured and maintained his control. The chapter synthesizes these varied historical periods, showing how the current state of authoritarianism is rooted in its long and complex past.
Keywords
Authoritarianism, Totalitarianism, Russia, Lenin, Stalin, Putin, Defective Democracy, Juan Linz, Wolfgang Merkel, Political Systems, Ideology, Mentality, Limited Pluralism, October Revolution, Soviet Union, Post-Soviet Russia.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Russia's Political System from Lenin to Putin
What is the main topic of this essay?
This essay analyzes the historical development of Russia's political system from Lenin to Putin, examining its evolution from authoritarianism to totalitarianism and back towards authoritarianism. It assesses the degree of authoritarianism in modern-day Russia using the theoretical frameworks of Juan Linz and Wolfgang Merkel.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
The essay explores the evolution of Russian political systems from Lenin to Putin; compares authoritarianism and totalitarianism using Linz's framework; applies Merkel's concept of "defective democracy" to Russia; analyzes the current state of freedom and democracy in Russia; and examines the role of ideology and mentality in shaping Russian political systems.
Which theoretical frameworks are used to analyze Russia's political system?
The essay utilizes the theories of Juan Linz on authoritarianism and totalitarianism, focusing on key distinctions between the two systems, and Wolfgang Merkel's concept of "defective democracy" to provide a comprehensive analysis of Russia's political development.
How is the essay structured?
The essay is structured into four chapters: an introduction setting the historical context and outlining the methodology; a chapter defining authoritarianism and totalitarianism according to Linz and introducing Merkel's concept of "defective democracy"; a central chapter analyzing Russia's political system from Lenin to Putin, covering key historical periods and figures; and a conclusion.
What historical periods are covered in the essay's analysis of Russia's political system?
The essay covers the October Revolution in 1917, Russia under Stalin's totalitarian regime (1927-1953), the end of the Soviet Union and the beginning of the Russian Federation (1953-1999), and the current situation under Putin (2000-present).
What are the key distinctions between authoritarianism and totalitarianism according to the essay?
The essay highlights Linz's distinctions, focusing on the limited pluralism in authoritarian regimes versus the complete ideological control of totalitarian ones. The role of "mentality" versus "ideology" in shaping these systems is also examined.
How does the essay apply Merkel's concept of "defective democracy" to Russia?
The essay uses Merkel's framework to analyze regimes that outwardly appear democratic but suffer from significant internal flaws, applying this to assess the democratic features and shortcomings of Russia's political system.
What is the central question the essay seeks to answer?
The central question is: How authoritarian is modern Russia?
What are the key words associated with this essay?
Authoritarianism, Totalitarianism, Russia, Lenin, Stalin, Putin, Defective Democracy, Juan Linz, Wolfgang Merkel, Political Systems, Ideology, Mentality, Limited Pluralism, October Revolution, Soviet Union, Post-Soviet Russia.
What is included in the provided language preview?
The preview includes the title, table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and key words.
- Quote paper
- Niclas Spanel (Author), 2022, How authoritarian is Russia? Analysis of the form of rule from Lenin until Putin, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1278311
