Founded in the 12th century, the Principality of Muscovy was able to emerge from over 200 years of Mongol domination (13th-15th centuries) and to gradually conquer and absorb surrounding principalities. In the early 17th century, a new ROMANOV Dynasty continued this policy of expansion across Siberia to the Pacific. Under PETER I (ruled 1682-1725), hegemony was extended to the Baltic Sea and the country was renamed the Russian Empire. During the 19th century, more territorial acquisitions were made in Europe and Asia. Defeat in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05 contributed to the Revolution of 1905, which resulted in the formation of a parliament and other reforms. Repeated devastating defeats of the Russian army in World War I led to widespread rioting in the major cities of the Russian Empire and to the overthrow in 1917 of the imperial household. The communists under Vladimir LENIN seized power soon after and formed the USSR. The brutal rule of Iosif STALIN (1928-53) strengthened communist rule and Russian dominance of the Soviet Union at a cost of tens of millions of lives. After defeating Germany in World War II as part of an alliance with the US (1939-1945), the USSR expanded its territory and influence in Eastern Europe and emerged as a global power. The USSR was the principal adversary of the US during the Cold War (1947-1991). The Soviet economy and society stagnated in the decades following Stalin’s rule, until General Secretary Mikhail GORBACHEV (1985-91) introduced glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) in an attempt to modernize communism, but his initiatives inadvertently released forces that by December 1991 splintered the USSR into Russia and 14 other independent republics.
Following economic and political turmoil during President Boris YELTSIN's term (1991-99), Russia shifted toward a centralized authoritarian state under the leadership of President Vladimir PUTIN (2000-2008, 2012-present) in which the regime seeks to legitimize its rule through managed elections, populist appeals, a foreign policy focused on enhancing the country's geopolitical influence, and commodity-based economic growth. Russia faces a largely subdued rebel movement in Chechnya and some other surrounding regions, although violence still occurs throughout the North Caucasus.
Russia is a semi-presidential federation.
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Displaying 291 - 295 of 1046Regional Law No. 528-Z amending Regional Law No 316-Z “On regulation of land relations”.
Article 2 shall be amended to add the following wording: “This Regional Law regulates relations concerning land tenure and land protection on the regional territory in accordance with plenary powers transferred by federal legislation to the competence of subjects of the Russian Federation”.
Amends: Regional Law No 316-Z “On regulation of land relations”. (2012-12-06)
Order No. 293 of the Ministry of Economic Development validating the Regulation on land lease contracts within functional areas of national parks.
This Order establishes that granting on lease of the plots of land located within functional areas of national parks for recreational use shall be carried out in accordance with the Federal legislation on land and protected areas. Object of lease can be the following functional areas of national parks: (a) areas of tourism and education; (b) recreational areas; and (c) tourist service areas. Lease contract shall be approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology.
Regional Law No. 100-V-Z amending Regional Law No. 425-IV-Z “On Civic Chamber”.
Article 15.1 shall be amended to add the following wording: “Civic Chamber shall conduct public hearing on issues related to state and local government jurisdiction in the sphere of socio-economic development”.
Amends: Regional Law No. 425-IV-Z “On Civic Chamber”. (2013-04-15)
Regional Law No. 997-ZTO “On regulation of some issues in the sphere of protected areas”.
This Regional Law defines the modalities of establishment of protected areas of local significance that can be set up by proposal of local government, citizens, legal persons and social associations.
Regional Law No. 26-RZ “On Civic Chamber”.
This Regional Law establishes that Civic Chamber shall be permanent body with a view of promoting civil society institutions, ensuring public control and cooperation of citizens with state bodies and local government. Its scope shall be protection of rights and duties of citizens, social associations and other non-government bodies (NGOs).