Russia's New Politics

Just as the Bolshevik revolution defined the early politics of the 20th century, the transition from communist rule is the landmark event of its final years. In this important new textbook, based on a wealth of references including interview and survey material, Stephen White offers a full, discriminating account of the dramatic process of change in what is still the world's largest country. After an early chapter examining the Gorbachev legacy, the book analyses the electoral process, the powerful presidency, and the intractable problem of economic reform. Later chapters cover social divisions, public opinion, and foreign policy, and a final chapter places the Russian experience within the wider context of democratisation. Clearly written, with numerous figures and illustrations, this book takes up Russia's story from the author's best-selling After Gorbachev to provide an unrivalled analysis of the politics of change in what is now the world's largest postcommunist society.* An important new text book, providing for the postcommunist 1990s what the same author's best-selling After Gorbachev (23,000+ sales in 4 editions) provided for the late Soviet years * Incorporates original data, including surveys and interviews, plus 16 halftones * Up-to-date, unlike its competitors, including the Primakov premiership, the currency collapse and the Kosovo crisis'Thanks to his extensive studies of the country, the opening up of archives, and his increasingly free collaboration with Russian colleagues, he presents a picture of Russia and its people that is both detailed and rounded.' International Affairs'Russia's New Politics is certain to win praise from the undergraduates and general readers who are its target audience. There is no better introductory work on the politics, society, and foreign policy of contemporary Russia.' The Russian Review