Post a New Question | Current Questions | Chat With Live Tutors
Homework Help: Social Studies: Government: Russian Politics
by Emily McPherson
Political systems:
Fascism - A form of government headed, in most cases, by a dictator. It
involved total government control of political, cultural, religious and
social activities.
Absolute Monarchy - A form of government in which a family rule with
unlimited power. The power is inherited and supposed to derive form
God's will. Judges, governors, and other officials are often allowed to
carry out government functions in large monarchies.
Democracy - A form of government that is 'ruled by the people'. The
citizens of a pure democracy meet in one place to make laws for the
community. The all take part directly as practiced in ancient Athens
and exists today in the New England town meeting.
"The basis of a democratic state is liberty" - Aristotle
Parliamentary Democracy - In large communities--cities, states,
provinces, or countries--it is impossible for all the people to meet as
a group. Instead, they elect a certain number of their fellow citizens
to represent them in making decisions about laws and other matters.
Aristocracy - A high social class that often used to include the
government leaders of a state or nation. Its members claim to be
superior.
In ancient times, aristocracies controlled the governments of Greece and
Rome.
Bureaucracy - A system that carries out the functions of a government.
The authority to perform many routine duties is divided among many
smaller departments. The federal government is the largest bureaucracy in Australia. It
employs thousands of men and women. They regulate activities like
banking, business, farming, and social security.
Communism - This is a political and economical system where all are
considered equal. Some people have considered communism the greatest
threat to world peace whilst others have looked upon it as the world's
greatest hope.
Totalitarianism - This is a form of government in which the state has
absolute control over almost every aspect of people's lives. The
individual is considered a servant of the state and is allowed almost no
freedom.
Famous and important people taking part in politics:
Czar Nicholas II - By the early 1900's, many people had developed a
hatred towards the monarchy of Czar Nicholas II in Russia. The citizens
wanted more political freedom, land for the peasants, and higher wages
for the workers.
Rasputin - He was a Siberian peasant and a holy man. He served as an
adviser to the last Russian czar, Nicholas II, and contributed to his
downfall.
Marx - Karl Marx was a German philosopher, social scientist, and
professional revolutionary. Marx was the chief founder of two of the
most powerful mass movements in history--democratic socialism and
revolutionary communism. He created Marxism.
Lenin - He founded the Communist Party in Russia and set up the world's
first Communist Party dictatorship. He led the October Revolution of
1917, in which the Communists seized power in Russia. He then ruled the
country until his death in 1924.
Trotsky - He was a leader of the Bolshevik revolution in Russia. While
Lenin lived, Trotsky was the second most powerful man in Russia. After
Lenin's death, Trotsky lost the leadership to Joseph Stalin. Trotsky
was later exiled. Until his assassination, Trotsky waged a bitter fight
against Stalin.
Stalin - He was dictator of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
from 1929 until 1953. He rose from bitter poverty to become a ruler.
Stalin ruled by terror and allowed no one to oppose his decisions.
Homework Help: Social Studies: Government
For Further Reading
|
