Eroding Democracy: Federal Intervention in Russia's Gubernatorial Elections

Under some conditions, electoral politics may undermine democratization, even when the elections themselves adequately meet the usual standards. To illustrate this point, the article examines the dynamics of gubernatorial elections held in the 89 regions that comprise the Russian Federation during t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Democratization 2007-08, Vol.14 (4), p.603-621
Main Authors: Moraski, Bryon J., Reisinger, William M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accountability
Central-local government relations
Democracy
Democratization
Elections
Electoral behaviour
electoral timing
Federalism
Gubernatorial elections
Political influences
Regional politics
Russia
Russian Federation
State Role
Strategic planning
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Summary:Under some conditions, electoral politics may undermine democratization, even when the elections themselves adequately meet the usual standards. To illustrate this point, the article examines the dynamics of gubernatorial elections held in the 89 regions that comprise the Russian Federation during the first term of President Vladimir Putin. The analysis considers whether pressure from the federal executive and strategic changes in election timing influenced the results of these elections. The study contends that Putin's experience with gubernatorial elections led him to question their value and, ultimately, to eliminate them. Meanwhile, several of Russia's governors sent clear signals that they did not value free and fair elections. Since governors presiding over Russia's poorest regions were also the ones most likely to be insulated from public accountability, voters saw little value in defending the institution of gubernatorial elections. This helps explain the lack of public outcry following Putin's decision.
ISSN:1351-0347
1743-890X
DOI:10.1080/13510340701398303