15 democratic terms

What elections are considered honest, what place is Russia occupying in the rating of freedom of the press and what is a bootoferm? Together with the Citizen+ “Paper” project, it compiled a dictionary of democratic terms.

The online course of political education Citizen+ consists of texts, animation, interviews with experts and entertainment tests devoted to media literacy, elective process and basic principles of democracy. You can take a free course on the UDEMY resource - and at the same time win a trip to Germany.

Material partner

The project of political education " Citizen+ " was launched by the Berlin Dekabristen E. V. The programs of public associations of experts in Eastern Europe are aimed at developing intercultural dialogue and international cooperation. They include trainings, exhibitions, festivals and educational trips to Germany.

Activism

The actions of citizens or public associations aimed at changes in urban space, as well as in the cultural, social and political life of the country. Activists advocate improving medical and social services for unprotected population groups, defend human rights, fight for the safety of nature, take care of homeless animals. The activist initiatives of St. Petersburg include, for example, the Ecological Movement “ Separate Collection ”, the project “ Beautiful Petersburg ”, dedicated to the improvement of the urban environment, and the organization “ Observers of St. Petersburg ”, advocating honest and free elections.

Botoerm

An organization that provides services to politicians for manipulating public opinion on online portals and on social networks. A group of users for a fee writes comments and posts discrediting a competitor and approve of the customer’s activities.

The most famous botoferm in Russia is the Troll Factory in St. Petersburg. “Trolls”, as a rule, are trying to ruin the reputation of civil activists, opposition and bloggers criticizing power. Read about how much trolls earn in Russia and how such projects work in Ukraine and Poland work in the DW material .

Elections

A long political process that includes not only voting. In honest and free elections, the opposition freely undergo registration, the debate is broadcast on television, media impartially inform voters about party programs and biographies of candidates, and voters cast votes without pressure from the outside.

Civil Society

Non -state organizations and groups of people united by common non -profit interests. Their goal is to solve political, environmental and other social problems in the country and the world. Part of civil society are political movements, NPOs, human rights activists, eco -activists, volunteers, journalists, bloggers, clergymen.

Democracy

The political system based on the principles of power of the people, freedom and equality . For democracy, the supremacy of the law, honest and free elections, the ban on censorship, protection of freedom of speech, independent court and local self -government are also important.

Press freedom index

An annual review with the classification of countries based on assessments of the freedom of print, which draws up and publishes the international network “Reporters without Borders”. According to data for 2020, Russia is at the end of the rating - in 149 place out of 180 countries.

Constitution

Higher regulatory legal act. The Constitution of the Russian Federation enshrines the basic principles of the work of state bodies, the interaction of the center and regions, the security and sovereignty of the country and its people.

Local self -government

The power that citizens realize in a particular territory, governing municipal property. Representatives of local self -government are elected by voting and are engaged in solving the problems of improvement of areas and social security, as well as conducting cultural events.

Opposition

Movement, party, group or person who participate in political and public life, pushing in mind with the current government partially or completely.

The parliamentary opposition criticizes the policy of the authorities, offering their own development paths. The extra -parliamentary opposition is not able to perform from the rostrum of parliament, but can participate in the debate and offer alternative strategies. It has been actively involved in the political life of Russia since the end of 2011, when observers, civil activists and leaders of political movements have criticized elections.

Pluralism

A position that guarantees the existence of different political parties, ideologies, movements. Pluralism in society contributes to a free exchange of opinions, the development of debate and allows all citizens to declare their views and interests.

Legal state

The form of organization of political power, based on the supremacy of the legality, rights and freedoms of man. An independent court and other state bodies ensure compliance with legal norms, and also allow society and citizens to exercise their rights and express their opinion - at home, on the street, on social networks or in the media.

Freedom of speech

Human right to freely express his thoughts - both oral and in written speech. For example, express your opinion on the situation in the country, discuss political news with friends, post memes, write comments.

The third sector

Non -profit organizations whose main goal is not to make a profit. Often they solve socially useful problems, and also provide non -profit services in the field of social protection of the population, additional education, and the protection of human rights and ecology.

Fake

Information mystification, the reader's misinformation strategy. Its goal is to mislead citizens, make them form a certain point of view on the event. False information is distributed through the media and social networks, creating fake sensations or distorting data. The head of the Tedros Adkhan Goebreesus says that during the pandemia of Covid-19 doctors have to fight with an infustodemia-propaganda, speculation and rumors. I agreed with Twitter, YouTube and Facebook on a policy of countering the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories. Now, thanks to adapted algorithms, users in priority see publications about Covid-19 with verified information from WHO.

Exitopol

A survey of citizens on the day of voting at the exit from the polling stations, which is carried out by sociological services. The results of high -quality eczitpols appear earlier than official data from election commissions and, as a rule, only slightly diverge from official numbers if they are not falsified. Polls are carried out on the terms of the anonymity of the participants.