Polity Atlas

How each model solves the same problems

Instead of “democracy versus anarchism”, compare the concrete ways collective problems get solved.

Question✕✕✕
How are decisions made?A dominant presidency with a small circle of security-service and business allies; a Duma controlled by United Russia; regional governors appointed (2005–2012) or elected under filters.UnknownA statutory authority (UIDAI) under the central government sets rules; ministries decide where Aadhaar is required; Parliament legislated in 2016 and 2019.Digital identity
How are conflicts resolved?Courts that rarely ruled against the Kremlin in political cases; elite disputes settled by the president; selective prosecution of rivals.UnknownGrievance channels at UIDAI and service agencies; constitutional challenges in the Supreme Court, which ruled in 2017 and 2018.
How are public goods funded?Pensions, wages and infrastructure financed largely by oil and gas revenue; a reserve fund built in the boom years.UnknownA universal, low-cost proof of identity used for welfare transfers, financial inclusion and public services.
How is AI used?No algorithmic governance; growing use of digital surveillance and online censorship by the end of the period.UnknownNo AI in decision-making as such; automated biometric matching and deduplication decide authentication, and face authentication was added in 2018.
What are the main risks?Dependence on hydrocarbon rents, erosion of the institutions that could replace leaders, and escalating repression and external aggression.UnknownExclusion through authentication failures, data leaks, surveillance and profiling, weak independent oversight and function creep.CLM-0544

This illustrates differences in design; it is not a universal claim about outcomes. Each cell links to mechanisms and the claims behind them.