The Level of Democracy in The Russian Presidential Elections of 1996 and 2000
Introduction
The process of democratisation is central in assessing how Russia is
modernising after the fall of the communist regime. Elections are
pivotal to how democratic a state is, yet elections had been held in
Russia during Stalin's reign and beyond. However, these were not
democratic in the true sense; with only one candidate, clearly they
were not competitive. As Dahl observed, 'the development of a
political system that allows for opposition, rivalry, or competition
between a government and its opposition is an important aspect of
democratization' (Dahl, 1971, p1). In my essay I shall be assessing
events of the 1996 and 2000 presidential elections and analysing how
democratic these elections were. Huntington cited in Hughes' study
asserted elections to be 'the essence of democracy, a vehicle of
democratisation as well as the goal' (Hughes, 2000, p28).
1996 Election
In the 1996 election there were a variety of candidates competing for
the presidency, as Dahl stipulates is essential for democracy.
Candidates needed one million signatures of support, with not more
than 7% of signatures from one region. This safeguard short listed an
original line-up of 78 applicants down to eleven. Corruption had not
been eliminated and the 'Central Electoral Commission rejected the
registration of six on the grounds some signatures had been forged'
(White et al., 1997a, p246). The hue of dishonesty is not one that
assists democracy, however exposing such practices does suggest some
independence and a desire for rectitude. Gorbachev's 1980's policy of
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...oved to be singularly influential and daunting. This is, perhaps, the greatest obstacles to achieving true democracy in Russia—the authoritarian and repressive traditions that refuse to die out with the passage of time.
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Re-reading the bulk of my work in the course of a spring and summer, one theme came to predominate-it was apparent that most of my writing was about America. How much I loved our country-that was evident-and how much I didn't love it at all!
Throughout the course of history, mankind has been recorded to corrupt itself. Men have grown tired of simply surviving; they have had to take and conquer others. Absolute monarchies control wealth, land, and even lives of men. The conditions of the people were solely dependent on the conditions of the one who was in power in that particular place and time. History has proven that most men rule unwisely in their kingdoms. To avoid tyrannical rule, some make an attempt to set up a government in which the people ruled themselves. This form of government is called a democracy, or “rule of the people.” History has also revealed through the Greeks and the French Revolution, that a democracy that gives complete power to the people, “absolute democracy”, is nothing more than a short prelude to tyranny.
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Exploring the October revolution and the establishment of communism, Richard Pipes concludes that the origin of communism can be traced back to the distant past in Russia’s history. Pipes states that Russia had entered a period of crisis after the governments of the 19th century undertook a limited attempt at capitalisation, not trying to change the underlying patrimonial structures of Russian society. (Pipes, 1964)
democracy is failing in Russia, and one of democracy's flaws. Democracy is also a very slow
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The current challenges of democracy around the world should prioritize each encounter that should be addressed through networks, global gatherings, and various activities. As a continuous concern, the progress of democracy discusses various strategies and activities. These various strategies and activities lead to lessons that are learned in advancing democracy, making democracy deliver, strengthening democratic fundamentals, and more current challenges. Democracy faces threats from every spectrum as the threats surge the need to reinforce democratic forces through aid and greater international solidarity. Each country reflects on a certain assessment towards the current status of democracy.