Co-optation in the process of dominant party system building: the case of Russia

Abstract

This article uses the data from the 2003–2006 and 2007–2011 cycles of sub-national legislative elections in 55 regions of Russia to examine the patterns and scope of co-optation in the process of dominant party system building. The analysis examines three modes of co-optation: direct co-optation into the dominant party, United Russia; indirect co-optation via well-established political parties with limited electoral appeal; and mediated co-optation via new quasi-opposition parties sponsored by the authorities. Several properties of parties, including electoral potential, ideological rigidity, and organisational stability, are identified as factors that determine the modes of co-optation for different categories of politicians.