Political Culture in Russia and Zimbabwe

Political Culture in Russia and Zimbabwe

Gliederung:

I. Introduction

II. Theoretical Background

III. Historical Background

(a) Russia

(b) Zimbabwe

IV. Political Culture

(a) Russia

(b) Zimbabwe

V. Comparison & Conclusion

In the following paper the attempt shall be made to compare Russia and Zimbabwe with

regard to their political culture. The first impression might suggest that there is an immense

amount of differences which make a comparison between these countries rather

implausible. Nevertheless I assume to discover a couple of similarities as far as the political

culture is concerned. This assumption is based on the fact that both countries are nominal

democracies with constitutions, party systems, elections being held etc. but with a strong

deflexion towards authoritarianism. It is generally agreed nowadays that democracy as a

form of government can only be successfully implemented if the actors and citizens

internalise it as a form of life and thinking as well – so maybe a failing democracy can also be

explained by a failed internalisation of democratic values. Secondly, from its independence

until the breakdown of the Soviet Union, Zimbabwe has been fairly oriented in the direction

of the communist Russia.

After having explained the basic theoretical background of the issue of political culture, I am

going to give a brief summary of important, more recent historical developments in the

countries. Subsequently, I am going to examine the political culture of both Russia and

Zimbabwe which will finally lead to a comparison and conclusion.