Does Russia Need a Bipartisan System?

Simonov K.V.,

Cand. Sci. (Pol. Sci.), First Deputy Rector, Head of Department for Applied Political Science, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Russia, ksimonov@mail.ru

DOI: 10.17976/jpps/2015.02.05

Rubric: Theme of the issue: Russia's dramatic dilemmas

For citation:

Simonov K.V. Does Russia Need a Bipartisan System? – Polis. Political Studies. 2015. No. 2. https://doi.org/10.17976/jpps/2015.02.05

Abstract

Evolution of Russian political system on its current stage is characterized by search for a model capable of preserving and maintaining stability of its institutions, as well as achieving higher levels of political competition. This problem could be solved by forming a bipartisan model under which, from the one side, the winning party gains the full authority for implementation of its policy; from the other side, strong opposition serves as a factor containing authoritarian tendencies. In the author’s opinion, despite the stereotypes, bipartisan system can be formed in Russia. The author analyzes key challenges of Russian political system, advantages of a bipartisan system, Western experience of bipartisanship.

Keywords

bipartisan system; political system; electoral system; elections; political regime; political competition; elite.