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 106 - 110 of 1046Regional Law No. 91-OZ amending Regional Law No. 39-OZ “On protected areas”.
Article 6.1 shall be amended to add the following wording: “The following protected areas of local significance shall be set up on the regional territory: (a) tourist and recreational areas; and (b) protected natural complexes”.
Amends: Regional Law No. 39-OZ “On protected areas”. (2013-07-02)
Regional Law No. 50-z amending Regional Law No. 3-Z “On Civic Chamber”.
Article 12 shall be amended to add the following wording: “Public consultations (public hearing) shall be organized on issues related to state governance and local self-government related to environmental protection, land-use planning and other cases envisaged by the federal legislation”.
Amends: Regional Law No. 3-Z “On Civic Chamber”. (2006-03-13)
Regional Law No. 222-OZ “On Civic Chamber”.
This Regional Law establishes that Civic Chamber must ensure coordination between citizens, social associations, state bodies and local government, promotion of civil society institutions, and consideration of the interests of the population in the process of elaboration and realization of state policy, protection of rights and freedoms of citizens. Civic Chamber shall be set up to ensure open and transparent discussion of the most important problems of social development, promotion of civil society institutions and democratic principles of the functioning of state bodies.
Regional Law No. 70-ZO “On Civic Chamber”.
This Regional Law establishes that Civic Chamber must ensure coordination between citizens, social associations, state bodies and local government, promotion of civil society institutions, and consideration of the interests of the population in the process of elaboration and realization of state policy, protection of rights and freedoms of citizens. Civic Chamber shall be set up to ensure open and transparent discussion of the most important problems of social development, promotion of civil society institutions and democratic principles of the functioning of state bodies.
Regional Law No. 40-RZ amending Regional Law No. 59-RZ “On objects of cultural heritage”.
Article 10 shall be amended to add the following wording: “Financing of the arrangements for state protection of the objects of cultural heritage shall be performed form funds specified in the part 1 of the Article 13 of the Federal Law “On cultural heritage of the peoples of the Russian Federation”.
Amends: Regional Law No. 59-RZ “On objects of cultural heritage”. (2006-12-20)