Abstract
Following the election cycle of 2007–2008, Russia prepares to enter a phase marked by a change of presidents but continuity in the model of legislative-executive relations that was established under Vladimir Putin. During Putin’s presidency, Russia created an authoritarian dominant party regime. In such a system, patronage and coercion are used to ensure the dominant party’s control of elective offices. In Russia, United Russia’s commanding majority in parliament ensures that the president and government can enact their legislative agenda without opposition. The arrangement allows parliamentarians to enjoy substantial material benefits and patronage opportunities as champions of powerful commercial interests in return for conceding authoritarian powers to the president.
Zusammenfassung
Im Ergebnis der Parlaments- und Präsidentschaftswahlen 2007–2008 wird Russland zwar von einem neuen Präsidenten regiert, die spezifischen Beziehungsmuster zwischen Exekutive und Legislative, die unter Vladimir Putin etabliert wurden, bleiben jedoch erhalten. Während Putins Präsidentschaft wurde ein autoritäres, dominantes Parteiensystem geschaffen, in dem Patronage und Zwang die Kontrolle der dominanten Partei über Wahlämter gewährleisten. Die Mehrheit von „Einiges Russland“ in der Duma stellt sicher, dass Präsident und Regierung ihre legislative Agenda ohne nennenswerte Opposition verwirklichen können. Diese Konstellation eröffnet den Abgeordneten die Möglichkeit, materielle Gewinne zu realisieren und Patronagemöglichkeiten zu nutzen. Abgeordnete setzen ihre machtvollen kommerziellen Interessen durch und billigen dem Präsidenten im Gegenzug eine autoritäre Herrschaft zu. Die Hintergründe und Folgen der Wahlen werden in diesem Beitrag kommentiert.
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Remington, T.F. Patronage and Power: Russia’s Dominant Party Regime. PVS 49, 213–228 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11615-008-0097-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11615-008-0097-y