Russia post-1991 : democracy or an autocracy?

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation is to analyse the Russian political system and its developments since the fall of communism. Russia is symbolic in world history as it has always been present in all major events that have taken place over the years. It started off as a small city-state in Moscow that soon evolved into a huge empire, with territories crossing both the European and Asian continents. 1917 was the year that changed the course of Russian history. Communism had defeated monarchs and royalties in Russia and neighbouring states, creating a Soviet Union that was symbolized in particular by the RSFSR (Russian Socialist Federated Soviet Republic). Following the Second World War the Soviet Union enjoyed a superpower status until 1991, when communism was overthrown and replaced by a new regime that introduced a new capitalist, market-oriented system. Officially Russia claims to be a democracy but many are sceptical about Russian political developments that took place over the past fifteen years. They argue that the apparent democratic revolution in Russia was a fraud and an illusion that simply allowed a new group of greedy, power hungry elites to win a share of control of the country's property and power. With respect to the above this study takes three different approaches. It first looks at what is democracy and autocracy in essence and analyses some case studies of established democratic states and authoritarian regimes. This is followed by a closer look at the Russian political institutions and civil society today. Finally some conclusion are drawn as to whether Russia is in fact as democratic as it boasts on in the international arena, or whether it is an autocratic state, using the same old tricks it had got along with in the past.