Russian Democracy

1. What is human rights? According t o the author, identify human rights issues the current
political regime in Russia have violated.
A human right is defined as a right that is believed to belong justifiably to every person. Russia is
slowly losing its democratic governmental system and increasingly showing characteristics of an
authoritarian government. A man named Mikhail Beketov was brutally beaten until he was placed in
a wheelchair and acquired so much brain damage he could barely speak a single word. These types
of attacks were clear examples of going against the idea of human rights.

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

In concern with Russias democratic government, it hasnt progressed at all; in fact, they have gone
backwards. A key component to democracy is following the rule of law, which the government
often tampers with to get done what they need to get done.

3. How does Mr. Gorbechev, the previous Russian premier, feel about the current leaders? Why
does he feel this way?
Gorbachev feels disappointed in the way that the current leaders are handling Russia. When Putin
removed elections for the governors and mayors, Gorbahcev was angry, saying that democracy
begins with elections. He knew right away that Russia was not going to improve as a nation until
democracy was fully implemented the correct way.

4. The caption for the picture on page one is titled, Batman and Robin. Explain this caption.
The caption for the photo of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and President Dmitri Medvedev is
titled, Batman and Robin because throughout the elections, the two of them continuously chose
each other when it came time for a new Prime Minister and President. One of the leaked
diplomatic cables describes Medvedev as playing Robin to Putins Batman.

5. According to the author [and Mr. Gorbechev, democracy begins with:

Democracy begins with Elections, accountability, and turnover. - Gorbechev

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.
Another key ingredient that is necessary for Democracy is respect for the rule of law; which in
Russia is frequently manipulated to serve the governments needs.

7. Identify two cases the author identifies where the Russian government has failed the
democratic test.
In one case Mikhail Khondorkovsky was a billionaire head owner of Yukos oil until 2003, when he
was offering support to the opposition party. He spent the last seven years in jail for trumped-up
charges, and after he went to jail his company was sold off to Putin supporters. Another case is
how Russia was supposed to get Jury Trials to changes Russias judicial system, who almost always
convict. It did not work because the jurors are frequently intimidated by the authorities, and
their verdicts are routinely overturned, thus effecting the justice system.

Work Cited
Levy, Clifford J. "The New York Times Upfront | The News Magazine for High School." The New
York Times Upfront | The News Magazine for High School. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.