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Российская "партия власти" versus доминантная партия
This article explores the question whether the Russian “party of power” can be regarded as the dominant party. It offers fact-based analysis of the inception and development stages of this organization from the creation of the movement “Our home- Russia” to the formation of the party “United Russia” as the dominant party in the Russian political system. It shows that at all stages of its development and activity, the Russian “party of power” has been constructed and managed from outside by the Presidential Executive Office.
The Russian “party of power” in the form of “United Russia” does not meet the criteria of the dominant party, as it does not have a significant impact on staffing in the public bodies except for deputies or on decisions that determine the policy of the state. The dominance of “United Russia” in the elections during the four previous electoral cycles is explained primarily by electoral corruption and by the fact that it is driven by the system of public authorities at all levels under the control of the Presidential Executive Office. The dominance of “United Russia” in the lower house of the Russian parliament made it possible to build a rigid and strictly hierarchical administrative structure, as well as a management system of the State Duma subordinate to the party at all levels, which enables the Presidential Executive Office to control and manage the legislative process and parliamentary activities.
The Russian “party of power” is a party-type political organization which represents and protects the interests of the ruling Russian nomenklatura in the formation of public authorities through electoral procedures and in the field of legislative and parliamentary activities. Having said that, the party “United Russia” does not adequately correspond to the concept of a political party according to Duverger.
This article explores the question whether the Russian “party of power” can be regarded as the dominant party. It offers fact-based analysis of the inception and development stages of this organization from the creation of the movement “Our home- Russia” to the formation of the party “United Russia” as the dominant party in the Russian political system. It shows that at all stages of its development and activity, the Russian “party of power” has been constructed and managed from outside by the Presidential Executive Office.
The Russian “party of power” in the form of “United Russia” does not meet the criteria of the dominant party, as it does not have a significant impact on staffing in the public bodies except for deputies or on decisions that determine the policy of the state. The dominance of “United Russia” in the elections during the four previous electoral cycles is explained primarily by electoral corruption and by the fact that it is driven by the system of public authorities at all levels under the control of the Presidential Executive Office. The dominance of “United Russia” in the lower house of the Russian parliament made it possible to build a rigid and strictly hierarchical administrative structure, as well as a management system of the State Duma subordinate to the party at all levels, which enables the Presidential Executive Office to control and manage the legislative process and parliamentary activities.
The Russian “party of power” is a party-type political organization which represents and protects the interests of the ruling Russian nomenklatura in the formation of public authorities through electoral procedures and in the field of legislative and parliamentary activities. Having said that, the party “United Russia” does not adequately correspond to the concept of a political party according to Duverger.