Global Studies II

Unit II Russia

Name Tim Grau

Date 4/23/15
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 t o the author, identify human rights issues the current
political regime in Russia have violated.
Human rights are the rights that every person is entitled to. The human right that the regime in
Russia has violated the right of speech by almost beating people who spoke out to death.

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

Some political corruption in Russia are bribes to voters and Police brutality and corruption. The
people are starting to fear the government like they did when Russia was the USSR.
3. How does Mr. Gorbechev, the previous Russian premier, feel about the current leaders? Why
does he feel this way?
He feels that the Russian leader Putin is not the leader of a Democratic nation because he has
taken the right to vote in some areas away and Gorbechev says that democracy begins with
elections.
4. The caption for the picture on page one is titled, Batman and Robin. Explain this caption.
Putin is seen as Batman because he is able to control Medvedev as if he was Robin. When Batman
tells Robin to do something he does it and when Putin tells Medvedev to do something he does it.
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.
Respect of the rule of the law is the other key aspect of democracy Russia does not meet this
standard because of Putin avoiding the law so that he can stay in control of Russia.

7. Identify two cases the author identifies where the Russian government has failed the
democratic test.
1. The fact that Putin used a manipulation of the laws to stay the leader of the nation for
longer than allowed.
2. Some areas of Russia no longer have the right to vote. Falling the ability for all to vote.