Synopses & Reviews
The new edition of this extremely well-received political biography of Vladimir Putin builds on the strengths of the first edition to provide the most detailed and nuanced account of the man, his politics and his profound influence on Russian politics, foreign policy and society. New to this edition:
- analysis of Putin's second term as President
- more biographical information in the light of recent research
- detailed discussion of changes to the policy process and the ?lites around Putin
- developments in state-society relations including the conflicts with oligarchs such as Khodorkovsky
- review of changes affecting the party system and electoral legislation, including the development of federalism in Russia
- details on economic performance under Putin, including more discussion of the energy sector and pipeline politics
- Russia's relationship with NATO after the ?big bang? enlargement, EU-Russian relations after enlargement, and Russia's relations with other post-Soviet states
- the conclusion brings us up-to-date with debates over the question of democracy in Russia today and the nature of Putin's leadership and his place in the world.
Putin is essential reading for all scholars and students of Russian politics.
Synopsis
Vladimir Putin has had a major domestic and international impact since being elected Russian President in March 2000 and yet remarkably little is known about the man in the West. This book, written by one of the UK's leading scholars of Russian politics, is the first major study of the man and his politics. Richard Sakwa's discussion provides the biographical and political context to explain Putin's astonishing rise from anonymous KGB apparatchik to leader of one of the world's most important and significant countries.
The book explains Putin's personal and intellectual development and his ability to effect social and political change. His attempts to reform the endemic corruption of the Russian state and to reshape its political system and national identity are explored alongside his economic, social, cultural, regional and foreign policies. The author also examines the close personal relationships that Putin has forged with other world leaders such as President George W. Bush, Prime Minister Tony Blair and German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder.
Drawing on both Russian and English-language sources, and providing comprehensive coverage of Putin's speeches, interviews and policy documents, this is the definitive study of the Russian leader.