Synopses & Reviews
An up-to-date new text with a wide range of pedagogical features that takes full account of the dramatic changes in Russian politics under Putin and Medvedev providing clear factual coverage and encouraging students to develop critical thinking about key issues and theories.
Review
"Eric Shiraev's years of experience teaching the subject shines through in this coherent, well-documented and highly-readable text." —Ariel Choen, Senior Research Fellow, The Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for International Studies, Washington DC., USA"A masterful, critical assessment of both the realities of Russia on the ground and the nature of the Russian state." —Blair Ruble, Director of the Kennan Institute at The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Washington DC
"A comprehensive and multi-dimensional analysis of Russian developments and actions." —Alan G. Whittaker, Professor, National Defense University, Washington DC
About the Author
ERIC SHIRAEV is a professor and senior research associate with George Mason University, USA, and research associate with the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies of George Washington University. His many books include The Russian Transformation, Anti-Americanism in Russia, Fears in Post-Communist Societies and The Soviet Union, all published by Palgrave Macmillan.
Table of Contents
Part I. Russia: Continuity and Change
Introduction: How do we study government and politics of Russia?
The Roots: The Russian Empire and the Soviet Union
The Soviet Transformation (1985-1991)
Part II: Russian Government Institutions
The Executive branch
The Legislature
Part III: Political Behavior and Participation
Political Parties and Elections
The Mass Media
Part IV: Russian Policies
Economic Policies
Foreign Policy
Domestic Security and Defense
Social Policies: Social security, Health, and Education
Conclusion