"As West Fears the Rise of Autocrats, Hungary Shows What's Possible" by Patrick Kingsley in the NYT. February 10, 2018.

"Why Russia's presidential election is like no other" by Angela Dewan in CNN.com. March 7, 2018.

Prompt:

Is Russia a democracy? Why or why not? Refer to O''Neil, and use examples from the materials on Russia assigned this week.

AFTER ANSWERIN THE QUSTION WRITE YOUR OPINON IN POLDE

ON THIS "According to O'Neil, a democracy is a political system in which power resides with the people, and this power can be exercised through participation (e.g. voting), competition (e.g. political parties) and liberty (e.g. freedom of speech). (p. 14) Based on this definition of democracy, I do not feel that Russia qualifies.

Russia's presidential election is not free and fair, and this compromises the requisite participation element of being a democracy. In the CNN article and Frontline video we see that in 2012 and again in 2018, Putin eliminated any serious competition from challenging him on the ballot. Authorities in Russia have what amounts to discretion over who is registered as a candidate. The Frontline video referred to it as a "Kremlin controlled election" and we see also that Putin changed the laws surrounding term limits such that he can continue to hold power for many years to come.

Liberties such as freedom of speech are also compromised in Russia. This is seen in the way that the Russian government controls mass media and has silenced those that have investigated and spoken out against corruption.

According to the CNN video clip, Russia is classified as authoritarian on the democracy index and one person on the Frontline video called Russia an authoritarian system while others called it a totalitarian regime and a kleptocracy."