Week 10 Questions   Russia:   Why is it useful to study Russian politics? What previous readings/concepts are useful for understanding this case?   Why does Morris describe the Russian state as incoherent? What does “everyday resistance” means? Do you think everyday resistance or mass demonstrations/protests have a greater impact?   What are the common features of personalist autocracies? Why shouldn’t we view Putin as an omnipotent dictator? Why can’t Putin better promote Russian economic opportunity?   Bonus:   Putin’s rule depends on maintaining the loyalty of elites such as oligarchs and ex-KGB

Week 10 Questions

Russia:

1. Why is it useful to study Russian politics? What previous readings/concepts are useful for understanding this case?

2. Why does Morris describe the Russian state as incoherent? What does “everyday resistance” means? Do you think everyday resistance or mass demonstrations/protests have a greater impact?

3. What are the common features of personalist autocracies? Why shouldn’t we view Putin as an omnipotent dictator? Why can’t Putin better promote Russian economic opportunity?

Bonus:

Putin’s rule depends on maintaining the loyalty of elites such as oligarchs and ex-KGB.  However, as economic reform becomes more crucial to the survival of his regime, the idea that he must open his policies up to expand international trade gains traction because the exploitation of the citizens to maintain the wealth (thus support) of oligarchs is threatening his rule (Morris’s

Bureaucracy v. People section, Frye). It seems that the options are choosing between

cronie support or the larger population’s support, but even oligarchs are feeling financial

strain and seeing limits to economic growth because of sanctions, so why not open

borders? Do you think foreign adventures (Syria, Crimea, and Ukraine) are more about satisfying the people or the elites? (Section 37 Student).

France:

1. Why is it useful to study the French case? What previous readings/ concepts are useful for understanding this case?

2. What are the common characteristics of populism in France? What are the positions of the two main types of populists in France? On policy and strategy, where do they converge and diverge?

3. What is fueling populism generally and specifically in France? Who is voting for populist parties in France? How do they compare with last week’s Brexit articles?  

Answers should be based on:

O’Neil et al., Cases and Concepts, “France,” pp. 276-303.

* Ivaldi, “Populism in France.”

* Updates on the French presidential election (see folder on Blackboard)

O’Neil et al., Cases and Concepts, chp. 9, “Communism and Post-Communism,” pp. 390-404.

O’Neil et al., Cases and Concepts, “Russia,” pp. 426-448.

* Frye, “Russia’s Weak Strongman”

* Morris, “Russia’s Incoherent State.”

You can find those readings here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1zT2hUxIokZaBEP_MCBL1kfvnoCW5MuM0?usp=sharing