Electoral and party systems in post-Communist Russia
LE3 .A278 1997
1997
Grieve, Malcolm
Acadia University
Master of Arts
Masters
Political Science
Politics
With the collapse of the Soviet system in the early 1990s, as well as the demise of the once predominant Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Russia was launched on the path to liberal-democratic reform. Such transitions do not often go smoothly, and Russia's experience has proven no exception. As Russia attempts to build the institutions necessary for democratic governance, the weakness of state authority has contributed to such problems as increased unemployment, inflation, and crime--all of which threaten the democratic transition. One factor that will help determine the extent to which this transition is successful is the impact of Russia's electoral system on the creation of a party system in Russia. This is because there exists a close relationship between electoral systems, party systems and the quality and stability of government. As one of the main dimensions of democratic governance, electoral systems provide a major stimulus for the development of parties as well as bringing them to the to the center of the political stage. Therefore, the influence of the Russian electoral system on the 1993 and 1995 Duma elections will play a significant role in determining whether or not Russia will emerge with a stable and disciplined legislature, a necessary element in Russia's road to democracy.
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