The Russian Predicament
By: COLTON, Timothy J
.
Contributor(s): SKACH, Cindy.
Material type: 
ArticlePublisher: Washington, DC : The Johns Hopkins University Press , July 2005Subject(s): Russia (Federation) -- Politics and government -- 1991- | Democracy -- Russia (Federation)Journal of Democracy 16, 3, p. 113-126Abstract: At the end of the Cold War, semipresidentialism became the modal constitution of the postcommunist world. In Russia and other post-Soviet states, however, this system of government has impeded consolidation. Semipresidentialism combines a popularly elected head of state with a prime minister responsible to the legislature; though this framework seemed to promise the best of all constitutional worlds, when put into practice in many countries during their transitions, the framework began to pose serious design dilemmas and facilitate democratic backsliding rather than consolidation.
At the end of the Cold War, semipresidentialism became the modal constitution of the postcommunist world. In Russia and other post-Soviet states, however, this system of government has impeded consolidation. Semipresidentialism combines a popularly elected head of state with a prime minister responsible to the legislature; though this framework seemed to promise the best of all constitutional worlds, when put into practice in many countries during their transitions, the framework began to pose serious design dilemmas and facilitate democratic backsliding rather than consolidation.
Click on an image to view it in the image viewer
There are no comments for this item.