Flashcards: Geopolitics and Post-Communist Transitions — 22 cards

Russia's interests in South Caucasus

Regional influence, security, and stability.

China’s geostrategic goal?

Belt and Road Initiative, regional security.

CSTO membership?

Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan.

SCO purpose?

Regional security, economic cooperation, dialogue.

Largest country by area?

Russia, 17,098,242 sq km.

Russian population estimate?

Approximately 143 million.

Russian federal divisions?

46 oblasts, 22 republics, 9 krais, autonomous okrugs, cities.

Main ethnic minority in China?

Han Chinese, 91.6% of population.

Major religions in China?

Folk religion, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam.

Post-communism definition?

After decline/end of communism, societal transformation.

Democracy vs communism?

Political systems: democracy emphasizes freedoms; communism involves state ownership.

Collapse causes of communism?

Economic loss, democracy deficit, human rights issues.

Goals of post-communist transition?

Adopt Western institutions, restore traditions, build diverse communities.

Relevance of post-communism today?

Elusive democracy, hybrid regimes, authoritarian states.

Russia’s key geostrategic region?

South Caucasus, Central Asia, Europe.

China’s regional security focus?

Belt and Road, minority regions, economic influence.

Military alliances of Russia and China?

CSTO and SCO for security cooperation.

Ethnic minorities in China?

Zhuang, Hui, Uighur, Tibetan, Mongol, others.

Russian administrative units?

Oblasts, republics, krais, autonomous okrugs, cities.

Post-communist political systems?

Hybrid regimes, electoral authoritarianism, lingering communist structures.

Challenges of post-communist transition?

Democratization, identity, economic reform, regional stability.

Contemporary post-communist relevance?

Authoritarian regimes, hybrid systems, ongoing societal change.