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Russian Politics: Challenges of Democratization
Paperback / softback
Main Details
Title |
Russian Politics: Challenges of Democratization
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Authors and Contributors |
Edited by Zoltan Barany
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Edited by Robert G. Moser
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Physical Properties |
Format:Paperback / softback | Pages:276 | Dimensions(mm): Height 229,Width 152 |
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ISBN/Barcode |
9780521805124
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Classifications | Dewey:320.947 |
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Audience | Professional & Vocational | |
Illustrations |
9 Tables, unspecified
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Publishing Details |
Publisher |
Cambridge University Press
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Imprint |
Cambridge University Press
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Publication Date |
27 August 2001 |
Publication Country |
United Kingdom
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Description
What went wrong in Russia's decade-old post-communist transition? A group of leading young scholars answer this question by offering assessments of five crucial political arenas during the Yeltsin era: elections, executive-legislative relations, interactions between the central state and the regions, economic reforms, and civil-military relations. All of the contributors recognize that adverse historical legacies have complicated Russian democratization. They challenge structural explanations that emphasize constraints of the pre-existing system, however, and concentrate instead on the importance of elite decisions and institution-building. The authors agree that elites' failure to develop robust political institutions has been a central problem of Russia's post-communist transition. The weakness of the state and its institutions has contributed to a number of serious problems threatening democratic consolidation. These include the tensions between the executive and the legislature, the frail infrastructure for successful market reform, and the absence of proper civilian control over the armed forces.
Reviews'Michael McFaul's chapter on Russian elections is one of the best and most useful for students of Russia ... The well-written conclusion is among many other merits of the book. It skilfully assesses whether overall Russia has been successful in building a true democracy.' Choice
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