Topic: 2025 – Authoritarianism and Democracy
Country: Russian Federation
Delegate Name: Adelaide Woltil
Special Political Committee
Authoritarianism and Democracy
Russian Federation
Adelaide Woltil
Forest Hills Central High School
Across the globe, we are currently facing a mass increase in distrust and uncertainty in democratic procedures and representative systems, as well as a rise in autocracy. Democratic institutions are facing rising pressures from both political polarization and economic uncertainty that hurt their sovereignty. In response, the United Nations has launched a range of programs to support democracies and combat corruption, including the UN Electoral Assistance Division missions, UNDP programs that strengthen election processes, and operations across the globe that focus on reform in more politically fragile states and recently developed and developing democracies. However, hybrid authoritarian and democratic regimes are still becoming increasingly common, while authoritarian systems are growing more durable. But, in the midst of this evolving landscape, the Russian Federation believes and maintains that a single universal template cannot define democracy. Political systems exist on a spectrum that is shaped by each nation’s historical experience, values, and they have a sovereign right to determine their own governance model.
The Russian Federation is a sovereign democratic state with its own constitutional model. We believe that every sovereign nation has the right to determine its own form of governance, and therefore rejects the idea that democracy has to follow a single Western template in order to be considered fair and sovereign. Our system of sovereign democracy reflects our historical experience, our national identity, and the need for political stability, social order, and security that our nation requires to function well. The state upholds regular nationwide elections, and all institutions are legitimate in the context of our constitutional framework. Russia has been repeatedly criticized by international observers who may argue that political competition, media freedom, and civil society are limited in ways that challenge the principles of free and fair elections. These statements from foreign bodies fail to acknowledge that the Western system of democracy can not be applied everywhere, and within Russia, it is important to uphold national unity and protect state sovereignty; these have always been staples of our political system. The global conversation on democracy vs. autocracy must allow for multiple paths of development rather than a single fixed standard that is based solely on the ideals of Western democracy.
The Russian Federation believes that in order to strengthen political institutions and governments across the globe, we have to first begin with respecting state sovereignty and the unique individualistic political development of each nation. The simple question of what system is the best isn’t black and white, and if we attempt to apply a “one-size-fits-all” system across the globe, many nations will suffer. It is important that we continue to support free and fair elections across the globe, particularly so in developing nations, but mass interference in governance systems and elections often causes issues that can’t be ignored. The Russian Federation further recommends enforcing UN election-monitoring mandates only upon explicit invitation from the host nation and discourages sanctions or coercive measures that undermine national institutions. We believe the UN should expand assistance for electoral management and anti-corruption, but that we should also ensure that the assistance remains neutral and non-intrusive, as well as desired by the country. By fostering strong government systems shaped by a nation’s cultural identity and history, the international community and the UN can help protect democratic processes without imposing one singular model or escalating political tensions both internally and externally.
Works Cited
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/etudes/join/2011/433688/EXPO-AFET_ET%282011%29433688_EN.pdf?
https://www.v-dem.net/documents/54/v-dem_dr_2025_lowres_v1.pdf?
https://dppa.un.org/sites/default/files/electoral_assistance.pdf
https://www.undp.org/governance/electoral-cycle-support
