The dualistic character of the Russian polity

The discussion about the geographical and historical affiliation of Russia, in addition to purely theoretical interest, has practical implications. In a country that is experiencing a communist aftertaste and is groping its new post-imperial statehood, 1 the political choice between Europe and Asia means an alternative to democracy - autocracy. An analysis of state institutions in the Russian Federation suggests that both political principles coexist in a paradoxical way in the political system.