Global Studies II

Unit II Russia

Name: Dylan Grant

Date April 23, 2015
Russian Democracy Has Disappeared?
- Clifford J. Levy, New York Times

Directions: After reading the article mentioned above, answer the questions below. Please
answer in complete sentence format.
1. What is human rights? According to the author, identify human rights issues the current
political regime in Russia have violated.
Human rights us what is a right that is believed to deal with every person. Everyone should be
equal in a sense and treated the same way. For example in Russia there was an attack on a man
who was put in severe condition where he can barely talk. This was first of a group of attacks
against Russian journalists, human rights activists and opposition politicians.

2. Identify political corruption issues Mr. Levy identifies in Russia today.

Putin pretty much does whatever he wants, for example he found a way around the law that
prevented him from running for President when his second term expired. The leaders bend the
rules to do whatever they want in the government.

3. How does Mr. Gorbechev, the previous Russian premier, feel about the current leaders? Why
does he feel this way?
Mr. Gorbachev doesnt like the current leaders since they go totally against what he started years
ago. Putin and Medvedev brought back communism again and Gorbachev dislikes that whole idea
because that is what he tried to get rid of.

4. The caption for the picture on page one is titled, Batman and Robin. Explain this caption.
This picture is about Putin being Batman and Medvedev being Robin, Putins sidekick. They are a
tag team duo who rules Russia. The two do whatever they want for the most part and Putin rules
over and controls Medvedev too.

5. According to the author [and Mr. Gorbechev, democracy begins with:

Elections, accountability and turnover.

6. In addition to the aspects of democracy identified above, which other key ingredient is
necessary for a democracy? According to the author, how does Russia meet this ingredient?
Back up your answer with facts.
The other ingredient that is necessary for a democracy is respect for the rule of law. Russia
frequently manipulates this to serve the governments needs.

7. Identify two cases the author identifies where the Russian government has failed the
democratic test.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky was sent to jail after helping other political parties. Khodorkovsky is the
head of Yukos Oil which is the countrys biggest oil company. Putin took him and threw him in jail
for going against him. When there is a case in court it usually doesnt go the way the jurors want
since they are so intimidated to say what they think is the truth. Usually things get overturned in
favor of the bad people so there is no point to even try anymore.