№ 5 - 2007
Ivanov A.F., Ustimenko S.V.
Autocratic Democracy: Dualistic Character of the Russian State System

The policy of building the power vertical pursued by President V.Putin has led to systemic paraconstitutional construction. As a result, in the Russian political arrangement, paradoxical coexistence is to be observed of institutions originating from two opposite political principles - that of division of powers and that of autocracy. Restoration of autocratic institutions presents itself not only as the answer to the demand of effectiveness of the political regime, but also as a manifestation of Russian political tradition. Its most ruinous effect is caused to the institutions of representation. Nomenclature comes to the place of the elections, and the multiparty system turns into a political cartel.