Russian Government and Politics

Description

Few countries have been transformed as rapidly and dramatically as Russia since the end of the Communist regime. Yet the more that certain things change in Russia, the more others remain the same. The result is a political and social system of which almost every aspect is a work in progress, marked by sudden accelerations, slowdowns, turnarounds, and conundrums. This lively and innovative third edition provides a clear and comprehensive picture of Russian politics which does full justice to its changes, challenges, and paradoxes. A distinctive feature throughout is its emphasis on outlining basic facts and developments and setting these in historical contexts before moving on to critical analysis. This is the ideal text for upper-level undergraduate and postgraduate students studying Russian politics or comparative government and politics more broadly. New to this Edition: - Fully updated to cover the latest developments, including 2018's presidential election - Two chapters offering expanded coverage of foreign policy, which better balances coverage of domestic and international affairs - New content on elections, presidential power, constitutional amendments, events in Ukraine, political opposition, economic and business policies, domestic and global challenges facing Russia, and Russia's vision of the world - Accompanied by a revamped set of online resources, such as multiple-choice questions and PowerPoint slides Accompanying online resources for this title can be found at bloomsburyonlineresources.com/russian-government-and-politics. These resources are designed to support teaching and learning when using this textbook and are available at no extra cost.

Eric Shiraev is a professor and head of a research lab at George Mason University, USA. Eric is a prodigious writer and has published on topics as diverse as Russian Politics and Foreign Policy, International Relations, Cross-Cultural Psychology and Personality Theories.

Eric Shiraev's third edition of Russian Government and Politics remains engaging, detailed, and a good length for teaching schedules as it brings existing material on government institutions and policies fully up to date. It retains effective features from previous editions, including the Critical Thinking analyses that prompt student discussion. Welcome additions include an expanded section on Russian foreign policy - vital to understanding Russia in today's world politics. * Pamela A. Zeiser, University of North Florida, USA * This is an essential guide for grasping the nature of Russian government and politics. The text is highly comprehensive - stretching from the time of early Russian state formation to the Constitutional amendments in 2020 - and yet doesn't lose sight of the complexity (and paradoxes) of the material covered. It offers an admirable overview of the institutional machinery of Russian government and surveys with critical precision recent politics and policies in key domains such as the economy, social issues and foreign relations. Students as well as teachers will be grateful for such a well-organized work of synthesis, based on thorough knowledge and written with insight. * Peter Vermeersch, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium * Russian Government and Politics is a comprehensive, up-to-date and accessible guide to the contemporary politics of Russia which will help students develop a deeper and more rounded understanding of this vital field of study. * Eleanor Bindman, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK * Russian Government and Politics provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the Russian state and its leaders. In an age where simple headlines, memes, and social media chat can too often dominate perceptions, the updated third edition of Eric Shiraev's book gives its readers context and information in order to better understand Russia. * Edwin Bacon, University of Lincoln, UK "This textbook is an excellent resource, not only for understanding why and how the political system in Russia has emerged in the way that it has, but also tracing developments in the policies that have been implemented by various Russian governments. Each chapter actively encourages critical thinking from the reader, promoting active engagement with the material." (Matthew J. Frear, Leiden University, The Netherlands) *