SSEES Alumni: Why bother studying the Russian Federal Assembly?

Legislatures in Russia have a bad rap. In the past, they have been forcibly closed down (by Tsar Nicholas II and President Boris Yeltsin), dismissed as wholly subservient 'rubber stamps', or derided as 'mad printers', producing outrageous legislative initiatives. Current conventional wisdom suggests that the two chambers of the Federal Assembly – the State Duma and the Federation Council – are largely peripheral bodies in Russian politics, filled with loyal agents of the Kremlin, rather than independent-minded, competent legislators.
Come and hear Dr Ben Noble discuss his research which centres on lawmaking processes in the State Duma, with a particular focus on odd cases, such as when bills introduced by the executive (the government or the president) fail to become laws or are amended significantly during Duma review. Rather than the result of parliamentarians scrutinising and challenging the executive's legislative agenda, His findings suggest that these interesting cases often result from policy conflict between members of the executive, including between different federal ministries. One key implication of this is that, by studying parliament, we can gain a privileged insight into intra-executive relationships – dynamics that are often hidden behind the closed doors of the Kremlin, Staraya Ploshchad, or the White House. The talk will draw on the findings presented in his recent and forthcoming research articles, as well as in his book manuscript, Bulldogs in the Duma: Executive Factionalism and Lawmaking in Russia.
The usual party afterwards will take place, with food and drink provided.
We look forward to seeing many of you there!