Political conflict is more likely in a society with a. ...

[nautica902]

Political conflict is more likely in a society with
 
  a. cross-cutting cleavages.
  b. a homogenous culture.
  c. highly educated people.
  d. a strong nationwide identity.
  e. re-enforcing cleavages

Question 2

What are the primary reasons behind the decline of competitiveness in Russian elections since 2000?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[TDubDCFL]

Answer to Question 1

e. re-enforcing cleavages

Answer to Question 2

Public opinion polls have found that Putin's political and economic successes
brought him genuine popularity with many Russians. With Putin so popular, few other
political leaders were willing to risk their own political careers in order to challenge
either him or his hand-picked successor, Dmitri Medvedev. Yet, Putin's popularity is not
the only explanation for the decline of competitiveness in Russian elections. Also
important is the strict control the government exerts over television and the elections
themselves. All national channels cover the president and his government in positive,
often fawning, terms, while opposition parties and leaders are often ignored or
ridiculed. In addition, the Kremlin has shown itself willing to use the public prosecutor's
office and other means to intimidate potential political opponents, while limits on the
ability of other political forces to contest elections have also done much to foster the
current dominance of pro-Kremlin parties.

[nautica902]

TYSM

[at]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it