The Empire Strikes Back: why pluralism is failing the Russian Federation.

Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the prospect for pluralism and democracy were seen as high. Most of the former satellite republics have taken a path towards pluralism and integration with the west. However, the Russian Federation has in large part failed in its acceptance of pluralism and democratic reform. Instead of having a thriving multi-party democracy only those parties loyal to the Kremlin find themselves with any power. Power and influence are being consolidated among the new barons of industry rather than diffused out to the populous, creating profound cleavages in Russian Society. This paper sets out to ask why the Russian Federation has rejected the trappings of Westernism and pluralism when so many of its former allies are now figuratively running to the west? The analysis is provided by analyzing several newspaper articles and primary sources, in an attempt to find any institutional or cultural explanations. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]