Product Description

The fourth edition of this classic introduction to Russian politics and society maintains the previous editions' traditions of comprehensiveness and clear and sophisticated analysis but has been revised and updated throughout to reflect the considerable changes in Russia.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #165220 in Books
• Published on: 2008-01-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 608 pages

Review

Dr. Richard Sakwa's textbook on Russian politics is a lucid and well informed survey of the subject. It skillfully relates comparative theoretical generalizations to the reality of contemporary Russian affairs and places the political sphere in its social and economic context. The book is objective and balanced in its treatment of controversial questions about developments in Russia under Putin. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who seeks an introduction to Russian politics.

Alfred B. Evans, Jr., Professor Emeritus, Department of Political Science, California State University, Fresno

The 4^th edition of Sakwa’s Russian Politics and Society confirms it as the book providing the best coverage of the field. It analyses the structures and contradictory processes in the political system, foreign policy, economy and society under Yeltsin and Putin and is unmatched for postgraduates and undergraduates alike.

Peter Duncan, Head of the Department of Social Sciences at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University College London.

'Dr. Richard Sakwa's textbook on Russian politics is a lucid and well informed survey of the subject. It skillfully relates comparative theoretical generalizations to the reality of contemporary Russian affairs and places the political sphere in its social and economic context. The book is objective and balanced in its treatment of controversial questions about developments in Russia under Putin. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who seeks an introduction to Russian politics.' - Alfred B. Evans, Jr., California State University, Fresno, USA

'The 4th edition of Sakwa’s Russian Politics and Society confirms it as the book providing the best coverage of the field. It analyses the structures and contradictory processes in the political system, foreign policy, economy and society under Yeltsin and Putin and is unmatched for postgraduates and undergraduates alike.' - Peter Duncan, University College London, UK

From the Back Cover

Having been fully revised and updated to reflect the considerable changes in Russia over the last decade, the fourth edition of this classic text builds on the strengths of the previous editions to provide a comprehensive and sophisticated analysis on Russian politics and society.

In this edition, Richard Sakwa seeks to evaluate the evidence in a balanced and informed way, denying simplistic assumptions about the inevitable failure of the democratic experiment in Russia while avoiding facile generalisations on the inevitable triumph of global integration and democratisation. New to this edition:

• Extended coverage of electoral laws, party development and regional politics
• New chapter on the ‘phoney democracy’ period, 1991-3
• Historical evaluation of Yeltsin’s leadership
• Full coverage of Putin’s presidency
• Discussion of the development of civil society and the problems of democratic consolidation
• Latest developments in the Chechnya conflict
• More on foreign policy issues such as Russia’s relationship with NATO and the EU after enlargement; Russia’s relations with other post-Soviet states and the problem of competing ‘near abroads’ for Russia and the West
• The re-introduction of the Russian constitution as an appendix
• An updated select bibliography
• More focus on the challenges facing Russia in the twenty-first century

Written in an accessible and lively style, this book is packed with detailed information on the central debates and issues in Russia’s difficult transformation. This makes it the best available textbook on the subject and is essential reading for all those concerned with the fate of Russia, and with the future of international society.

About the Author

Richard Sakwa is Professor of Russian and European Politics at the University of Kent.

Customer Reviews

The Mans a Genius!
While studying for my degree at the University of Kent where he teaches, I took both of Prof. Sakwa's main modules, and so this book was obviously central to both the courses. First of all I must say in the flesh he nice guy and a supurb teacher and I found his lectures and seminars among the best I attended during my studies, mainly because of his immence knowledge of Eastern European and Russian politics.
To put it bluntly he is the among the top 2 or 3 leading experts in the world on the subject and should you be studying Russian politics THERE IS NOT A BETTER BOOK THAN THIS. Its gives a great overview of pretty much any topic you might meet in a Russian political course and is packed with information and Sakwa's personal insights and thoughts. I cannot recommend this book (and his others) highly enough. If your studying Russian politics get, it will help you pass!