ABSTRACT

In the two decades since independence, the Russian Federation produced two distinct party systems: an inchoate multi-party system that had its last gasp in the parliamentary elections of 2003 and a hegemonic party system that consolidated in 2007 and remains intact – although vulnerable – in 2011. This dramatic shift in competitive context obscures a persistent and troubling weakness in the institutional structures within individual party organisations. Until the consolidation of the parliamentary faction of United Russia (UR) following the 1999-2000 electoral cycle, Russian parties remained largely irrelevant for both electoral competition and governance, raising important questions that look beyond theories of political party formation to understand organisational durability and effectiveness and, ultimately, the link between party development and the quality of democracy.