Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin research papers look at the political leader of Russia and can focus on any aspect of his leadership. Putin has a tremendously important role in world affairs so understanding his politics is a crucial aspect of understanding Russia. Paper Masters has writers that write on public figures such as Putin in custom research papers.

Vladimir Putin (b. 1952) is the President of Russia, a post he has held since 2012 and from 2000 to 2008.

• Born in Leningrad (St. Petersburg), Putin joined the KGB in 1975.
• In 1991, he retired in order to enter politics, serving as the government of St. Petersburg before becoming a protege of Russian President Boris Yeltsin.
• There are many in the West who believe that Putin is a resurrection of the old USSR, and that he has provided over a kleptocracy.

In 1999, Russian President Boris Yeltsin, the first leader of the post-Soviet era, appointed Putin one of three First Deputy Prime Ministers. Yeltsin indicated that he saw Putin as his successor, and Putin became Prime Minister later that year. When Yeltsin resigned on 31 December 1999, Putin became the Acting President of the Russian Federation. His first official action was to prohibit the investigation of corruption charges against Yeltsin and his family.

On 7 May 2000, Putin became President of Russia, a post he held until 2008. The Russian Constitution forbade a third term, so Putin stepped aside in favor of Dmity Medvedev, and became Prime Minister. Putin began his third term in 2012, possibly as the result of electoral fraud. In 2014, Putin ordered the annexation of the Crimea and the invasion of Ukraine, acts that have isolated Russia from the rest of the world and have led to charges that Putin is a dictator bent on regional domination.

In December 1991, the Russian Federation became an independent state following the collapse of the Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic (RSFSR). In 1993, the Russian Federation adopted a new constitution that increased the power of the president while also establishing democratic guidelines such as fixed terms, electoral procedures and freedoms for all citizens aged 18 or older. The Russian Federation government is composed of three branches; the executive, legislative and the judicial. The executive branch includes the president, as the head, and prime minister, the second in command.The president is elected by the people to a four-year term with the option of running for a second term. The President is the commander in chief of the armed forces and chairs the Security Council. Russia's current President is Vladimir Putin.

The President appoints the Prime Minister subject to ratification of the State Duma. While the Prime Minister is second in command, should the President die or become incapacitated, new presidential elections must be held within three months. Mikhail M. Kasyanov is the current Prime Minister of Russia following Putin's election to president. Although only second in command, he impressed many when he successfully negotiated with foreign creditors to forgive approximately $32 million of Russia's debt.

The Russian Legislator or Federal Assembly includes an upper house called the Council of the Federation, and a lower house called the State Duma. The Council of the Federation is comprised of two representatives from each of 89 administrative units for a total 178 members. The State Duma is comprised of 450 members, half of which are elected by percent representation from parties winning at least 5% of the vote. The other half is elected individually from districts throughout the country. Currently, members of the State Duma serve four-year terms.

The Constitutional Court is the Russian Federation's highest judicial body. The President appoints and the Council of the Federation approves the 19 judges that make up the Constitutional Court. The Constitutional Court is charged with ruling on the constitutionality of legislative and executive actions.

The Supreme Court and Supreme Arbitration court fall under the Constitutional Court. The Supreme Court is responsible for civil, criminal and administrative law matters, while the Supreme Arbitration Court is responsible for economic matters. As in the Constitutional Court, judges in the Supreme Court and Supreme Arbitration Court are appointed by the President and approved by the Council of the Federation. The Courts are no longer under the influence of communist era government, but they are susceptible to pressure from the powerful underworld of organized crime.