Boris Yeltsin and Russia’s Democratic Transformation

Boris Yeltsin and Russia’s Democratic Transformation

Author: Herbert J. Ellison

Publisher: University of Toronto Press

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 344

ISBN-13:

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Much has been written about Yeltsin, but rarely has it been as balanced and insightful as this book. It is a much-needed, well-deserved corrective to conventional wisdom that overlooks or sells short Yeltsin's basically positive international stage. - Strobe Talbott, president of the Brookings Institution and former U.S. deputy secretary of state


Book Synopsis Boris Yeltsin and Russia’s Democratic Transformation by : Herbert J. Ellison

Download or read book Boris Yeltsin and Russia’s Democratic Transformation written by Herbert J. Ellison and published by University of Toronto Press. This book was released on 2006 with total page 344 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Much has been written about Yeltsin, but rarely has it been as balanced and insightful as this book. It is a much-needed, well-deserved corrective to conventional wisdom that overlooks or sells short Yeltsin's basically positive international stage. - Strobe Talbott, president of the Brookings Institution and former U.S. deputy secretary of state


Russia's Democratic Moment?

Russia's Democratic Moment?

Author: William C. Martel

Publisher: DIANE Publishing

Published: 1998-02

Total Pages: 350

ISBN-13: 0788146645

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Contents: democratic reform of government and politics (is Russian democratic reform vital to the U.S.? toward democratic government in Russia, and in the Ukraine); democratic reform of economy and society (impediments to free-market economy in Russia; Russia's banking and financial crisis; Russia's black market; economic assistance to Russia; managing reform in Russia's defense industries: conversion and arms sales); democratic reform of military and foreign policy (the democratic transition of Russia's military; transformation of Ukraine's military; managing the evolution of Russia's military; Russia and the CIS).


Book Synopsis Russia's Democratic Moment? by : William C. Martel

Download or read book Russia's Democratic Moment? written by William C. Martel and published by DIANE Publishing. This book was released on 1998-02 with total page 350 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Contents: democratic reform of government and politics (is Russian democratic reform vital to the U.S.? toward democratic government in Russia, and in the Ukraine); democratic reform of economy and society (impediments to free-market economy in Russia; Russia's banking and financial crisis; Russia's black market; economic assistance to Russia; managing reform in Russia's defense industries: conversion and arms sales); democratic reform of military and foreign policy (the democratic transition of Russia's military; transformation of Ukraine's military; managing the evolution of Russia's military; Russia and the CIS).


Gorbachev, Yeltsin, and Putin

Gorbachev, Yeltsin, and Putin

Author: Archie Brown

Publisher: Carnegie Endowment

Published: 2013-01-25

Total Pages: 175

ISBN-13: 087003328X

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This volume analyzes various aspects of the political leadership during the collapse of the Soviet Union and formation of a new Russia. Comparing the rule of Mikhail Gorbachev, Boris Yeltsin, and Vladimir Putin, the book reflects upon their goals, governing style, and sources of influence—as well as factors that influenced their activities and complicated them too. Contents Introduction Archie Brown Transformational Leaders Compared: Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin Archie Brown Evaluating Gorbachev and Yeltsin as Leaders George W. Breslauer From Yeltsin to Putin: The Evolution of Presidential Power Lilia Shevtsova Political Leadership and the Center-Periphery Struggle: Putin's Administrative Reforms Eugene Huskey Conclusion Lilia Shevtsova


Book Synopsis Gorbachev, Yeltsin, and Putin by : Archie Brown

Download or read book Gorbachev, Yeltsin, and Putin written by Archie Brown and published by Carnegie Endowment. This book was released on 2013-01-25 with total page 175 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This volume analyzes various aspects of the political leadership during the collapse of the Soviet Union and formation of a new Russia. Comparing the rule of Mikhail Gorbachev, Boris Yeltsin, and Vladimir Putin, the book reflects upon their goals, governing style, and sources of influence—as well as factors that influenced their activities and complicated them too. Contents Introduction Archie Brown Transformational Leaders Compared: Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin Archie Brown Evaluating Gorbachev and Yeltsin as Leaders George W. Breslauer From Yeltsin to Putin: The Evolution of Presidential Power Lilia Shevtsova Political Leadership and the Center-Periphery Struggle: Putin's Administrative Reforms Eugene Huskey Conclusion Lilia Shevtsova


Russia's Unfinished Revolution

Russia's Unfinished Revolution

Author: Michael McFaul

Publisher: Cornell University Press

Published: 2001-08-23

Total Pages: 408

ISBN-13: 9780801439001

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For centuries, dictators ruled Russia. Tsars and Communist Party chiefs were in charge for so long some analysts claimed Russians had a cultural predisposition for authoritarian leaders. Yet, as a result of reforms initiated by Mikhail Gorbachev, new political institutions have emerged that now require election of political leaders and rule by constitutional procedures. Michael McFaul—described by the New York Times as "one of the leading Russia experts in the United States"—traces Russia's tumultuous political history from Gorbachev's rise to power in 1985 through the 1999 resignation of Boris Yeltsin in favor of Vladimir Putin. McFaul divides his account of the post-Soviet country into three periods: the Gorbachev era (1985-1991), the First Russian Republic (1991–1993), and the Second Russian Republic (1993–present). The first two were, he believes, failures—failed institutional emergence or failed transitions to democracy. By contrast, new democratic institutions did emerge in the third era, though not the institutions of a liberal democracy. McFaul contends that any explanation for Russia's successes in shifting to democracy must also account for its failures. The Russian/Soviet case, he says, reveals the importance of forging social pacts; the efforts of Russian elites to form alliances failed, leading to two violent confrontations and a protracted transition from communism to democracy. McFaul spent a great deal of time in Moscow in the 1990s and witnessed firsthand many of the events he describes. This experience, combined with frequent visits since and unparalleled access to senior Russian policymakers and politicians, has resulted in an astonishingly well-informed account. Russia's Unfinished Revolution is a comprehensive history of Russia during this crucial period.


Book Synopsis Russia's Unfinished Revolution by : Michael McFaul

Download or read book Russia's Unfinished Revolution written by Michael McFaul and published by Cornell University Press. This book was released on 2001-08-23 with total page 408 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For centuries, dictators ruled Russia. Tsars and Communist Party chiefs were in charge for so long some analysts claimed Russians had a cultural predisposition for authoritarian leaders. Yet, as a result of reforms initiated by Mikhail Gorbachev, new political institutions have emerged that now require election of political leaders and rule by constitutional procedures. Michael McFaul—described by the New York Times as "one of the leading Russia experts in the United States"—traces Russia's tumultuous political history from Gorbachev's rise to power in 1985 through the 1999 resignation of Boris Yeltsin in favor of Vladimir Putin. McFaul divides his account of the post-Soviet country into three periods: the Gorbachev era (1985-1991), the First Russian Republic (1991–1993), and the Second Russian Republic (1993–present). The first two were, he believes, failures—failed institutional emergence or failed transitions to democracy. By contrast, new democratic institutions did emerge in the third era, though not the institutions of a liberal democracy. McFaul contends that any explanation for Russia's successes in shifting to democracy must also account for its failures. The Russian/Soviet case, he says, reveals the importance of forging social pacts; the efforts of Russian elites to form alliances failed, leading to two violent confrontations and a protracted transition from communism to democracy. McFaul spent a great deal of time in Moscow in the 1990s and witnessed firsthand many of the events he describes. This experience, combined with frequent visits since and unparalleled access to senior Russian policymakers and politicians, has resulted in an astonishingly well-informed account. Russia's Unfinished Revolution is a comprehensive history of Russia during this crucial period.


Russian Politics in Transition

Russian Politics in Transition

Author: Nikolai Biryukov

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2018-11-08

Total Pages: 329

ISBN-13: 0429756607

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First published in 1997 and written by two distinguished Russian scholars, this book examines the problems and prospects of democratic transition in Russia since the disintegration of the Soviet Union. Specifically, it offers a compelling evaluation of the rise and fall of the 1990 Russian parliament. The problems of transforming what had been a regional assembly into a national parliament are analysed in the context of the failure of perestroika, the difficulties of generating pluralist politics, the strength of presidential power and the tensions between ideologies of reform, on the one hand, and the realities of economic crisis, on the other. The analysis allows them to evaluate the role of political upheaval and conflicts of legitimacy in Russian democratization. The book is divided into three sections. The first offers a theory of transition to modern democracy. This provides the framework for the second section, an account of the first parliament after the 1990 elections, its conflicts with presidential power and the reform agenda of the government and, finally, its fall. The third section examines three particular problems which were decisive in producing the crisis of Russian parliamentarianism and democratization: voting behaviour in a non-party parliamentary setting and its relationship to conflicts between legislature and executive; populism and representation; and the role of democratic values and procedures in the legislative process. Drawing on their unrivalled knowledge of issues, events and actors, Nikolai Biryukov and Victor Sergeyev gather and interpret much new evidence to explore their subject. In a path-breaking study, the authors draw on a variety of sources and traditions to produce an original theory of the problems of political stability set up by democratic transition in Russia.


Book Synopsis Russian Politics in Transition by : Nikolai Biryukov

Download or read book Russian Politics in Transition written by Nikolai Biryukov and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2018-11-08 with total page 329 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: First published in 1997 and written by two distinguished Russian scholars, this book examines the problems and prospects of democratic transition in Russia since the disintegration of the Soviet Union. Specifically, it offers a compelling evaluation of the rise and fall of the 1990 Russian parliament. The problems of transforming what had been a regional assembly into a national parliament are analysed in the context of the failure of perestroika, the difficulties of generating pluralist politics, the strength of presidential power and the tensions between ideologies of reform, on the one hand, and the realities of economic crisis, on the other. The analysis allows them to evaluate the role of political upheaval and conflicts of legitimacy in Russian democratization. The book is divided into three sections. The first offers a theory of transition to modern democracy. This provides the framework for the second section, an account of the first parliament after the 1990 elections, its conflicts with presidential power and the reform agenda of the government and, finally, its fall. The third section examines three particular problems which were decisive in producing the crisis of Russian parliamentarianism and democratization: voting behaviour in a non-party parliamentary setting and its relationship to conflicts between legislature and executive; populism and representation; and the role of democratic values and procedures in the legislative process. Drawing on their unrivalled knowledge of issues, events and actors, Nikolai Biryukov and Victor Sergeyev gather and interpret much new evidence to explore their subject. In a path-breaking study, the authors draw on a variety of sources and traditions to produce an original theory of the problems of political stability set up by democratic transition in Russia.


Between Dictatorship and Democracy

Between Dictatorship and Democracy

Author: Michael McFaul

Publisher: Carnegie Endowment

Published: 2010-04

Total Pages: 378

ISBN-13: 0870032909

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For hundreds of years, dictators have ruled Russia. Do they still? In the late 1980s, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev launched a series of political reforms that eventually allowed for competitive elections, the emergence of an independent press, the formation of political parties, and the sprouting of civil society. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, these proto-democratic institutions endured in an independent Russia. But did the processes unleashed by Gorbachev and continued under Russian President Boris Yeltsin lead eventually to liberal democracy in Russia? If not, what kind of political regime did take hold in post-Soviet Russia? And how has Vladimir Putin's rise to power influenced the course of democratic consolidation or the lack thereof? Between Dictatorship and Democracy seeks to give a comprehensive answer to these fundamental questions about the nature of Russian politics.


Book Synopsis Between Dictatorship and Democracy by : Michael McFaul

Download or read book Between Dictatorship and Democracy written by Michael McFaul and published by Carnegie Endowment. This book was released on 2010-04 with total page 378 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For hundreds of years, dictators have ruled Russia. Do they still? In the late 1980s, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev launched a series of political reforms that eventually allowed for competitive elections, the emergence of an independent press, the formation of political parties, and the sprouting of civil society. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, these proto-democratic institutions endured in an independent Russia. But did the processes unleashed by Gorbachev and continued under Russian President Boris Yeltsin lead eventually to liberal democracy in Russia? If not, what kind of political regime did take hold in post-Soviet Russia? And how has Vladimir Putin's rise to power influenced the course of democratic consolidation or the lack thereof? Between Dictatorship and Democracy seeks to give a comprehensive answer to these fundamental questions about the nature of Russian politics.


Russia--lost in Transition

Russia--lost in Transition

Author: Lilii︠a︡ Shevt︠s︡ova

Publisher: Carnegie Endowment

Published: 2007

Total Pages: 423

ISBN-13: 0870032364

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Russian history is first and foremost a history of personalized power. As Russia startles the international community with its assertiveness and faces both parliamentary and presidential elections, Lilia Shevtsova searches the histories of the Yeltsin and Putin regimes. She explores within them conventional truths and myths about Russia, paradoxes of Russian political development, and Russia's role in the world. Russia--Lost in Transition discovers a logic of government in Russia--a political regime and the type of capitalism that were formulated during the Yeltsin and Putin presidencies and will continue to dominate Russia's trajectory in the near term. Looking forward as well as back, Shevtsova speculates about the upcoming elections as well as the self-perpetuating system in place--the legacies of Yeltsin and Putin--and how it will dictate the immediate political future. She also explores several scenarios for Russia's future over the next decade.


Book Synopsis Russia--lost in Transition by : Lilii︠a︡ Shevt︠s︡ova

Download or read book Russia--lost in Transition written by Lilii︠a︡ Shevt︠s︡ova and published by Carnegie Endowment. This book was released on 2007 with total page 423 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Russian history is first and foremost a history of personalized power. As Russia startles the international community with its assertiveness and faces both parliamentary and presidential elections, Lilia Shevtsova searches the histories of the Yeltsin and Putin regimes. She explores within them conventional truths and myths about Russia, paradoxes of Russian political development, and Russia's role in the world. Russia--Lost in Transition discovers a logic of government in Russia--a political regime and the type of capitalism that were formulated during the Yeltsin and Putin presidencies and will continue to dominate Russia's trajectory in the near term. Looking forward as well as back, Shevtsova speculates about the upcoming elections as well as the self-perpetuating system in place--the legacies of Yeltsin and Putin--and how it will dictate the immediate political future. She also explores several scenarios for Russia's future over the next decade.


The Soviet Transition

The Soviet Transition

Author: Ottorino Cappelli

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-04-08

Total Pages: 250

ISBN-13: 1135236461

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Of course we watched it all on television, day by day, as the Evil Empire transmuted into the Circus Bear, but seeing it and knowing what to think about it are not the same. Scholars from eastern and western Europe and North America help out, in 14 papers from an April 1992 conference in Naples.


Book Synopsis The Soviet Transition by : Ottorino Cappelli

Download or read book The Soviet Transition written by Ottorino Cappelli and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2014-04-08 with total page 250 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Of course we watched it all on television, day by day, as the Evil Empire transmuted into the Circus Bear, but seeing it and knowing what to think about it are not the same. Scholars from eastern and western Europe and North America help out, in 14 papers from an April 1992 conference in Naples.


The Struggle for Russia

The Struggle for Russia

Author: Ruslan Imranovich Khasbulatov

Publisher: Psychology Press

Published: 1993

Total Pages: 270

ISBN-13: 9780415092920

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Who is Ruslan Khasbulatov? Since the attempted coup in Russia in August 1991, Ruslan Khasbulatov has featured prominently and controversially in the development of the post-Soviet Russia. And yet relatively little is known about his background, personal beliefs and political philosophy. This book, part analytical, part autobiographical, provides unique insight into Khasbulatov's political development and outlook. Khasbulatov became acting Speaker of the Russian Parliament in July 1991 and helped defend the Russian White House during the coup attempt of that August. Confirmed in the post of Speaker in October 1991, he has since consolidated his influence in the parliament and become one of the country's most controversial politicians. News reports portray Khasbulatov as engaged in a power struggle with Russian President Boris Yeltsin. They indicate that the Russian parliament has turned into a bastion of opposition to Yeltsin and his proposed free-market reforms. As leader of the parliament, Khasbulatov is seen as representing the interests of the old-guard communist managers. Scarcely a day passes without negative stories about him appearing in the press. In The Struggle for Russia, Khasbulatov describes his personal involvement in the dramatic events of the last three years. He presents his views on the evolution of Russian politics before the attempted coup, putting forward a distinctive approach to the problems of Russian history, politics and culture. He offers a vivid first-hand account of the resistance to the coup and describes working with Yeltsin to draft the appeal "To the Citizens of Russia" which declared the coup an illegal act. The book concludes with Khasbulatov's views on Russian politics in the post-communist era, focusing on the problem of power in the democratic transition.


Book Synopsis The Struggle for Russia by : Ruslan Imranovich Khasbulatov

Download or read book The Struggle for Russia written by Ruslan Imranovich Khasbulatov and published by Psychology Press. This book was released on 1993 with total page 270 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Who is Ruslan Khasbulatov? Since the attempted coup in Russia in August 1991, Ruslan Khasbulatov has featured prominently and controversially in the development of the post-Soviet Russia. And yet relatively little is known about his background, personal beliefs and political philosophy. This book, part analytical, part autobiographical, provides unique insight into Khasbulatov's political development and outlook. Khasbulatov became acting Speaker of the Russian Parliament in July 1991 and helped defend the Russian White House during the coup attempt of that August. Confirmed in the post of Speaker in October 1991, he has since consolidated his influence in the parliament and become one of the country's most controversial politicians. News reports portray Khasbulatov as engaged in a power struggle with Russian President Boris Yeltsin. They indicate that the Russian parliament has turned into a bastion of opposition to Yeltsin and his proposed free-market reforms. As leader of the parliament, Khasbulatov is seen as representing the interests of the old-guard communist managers. Scarcely a day passes without negative stories about him appearing in the press. In The Struggle for Russia, Khasbulatov describes his personal involvement in the dramatic events of the last three years. He presents his views on the evolution of Russian politics before the attempted coup, putting forward a distinctive approach to the problems of Russian history, politics and culture. He offers a vivid first-hand account of the resistance to the coup and describes working with Yeltsin to draft the appeal "To the Citizens of Russia" which declared the coup an illegal act. The book concludes with Khasbulatov's views on Russian politics in the post-communist era, focusing on the problem of power in the democratic transition.


The Troubled Birth of Russian Democracy: Parties, Personalities, and Programs

The Troubled Birth of Russian Democracy: Parties, Personalities, and Programs

Author:

Publisher: Hoover Press

Published: 1993

Total Pages: 340

ISBN-13: 9780817992330

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The demise of communism in the Soviet Union could not have occurred without the activism of dissident, anticommunist leaders who created and nourished a climate in which ordinary Russians gained the courage to stand up to and defeat communist control. But with communism ousted, what new form of government and what new leaders will emerge in Russia, a society that has never known democracy? Michael McFaul, a research associate at Stanford University's Center for International Security and Arms Control, and Sergei Markov, an assistant professor at Moscow State University, interviewed anti-communist leaders and collected the documents of anticommunist parties in the months preceding and immediately following the August 1991 attempted coup d'etat. To examine the range of the political spectrum in Russia, they also talked to procommunist leaders who emerged to oppose Mikhail Gorbachev's reforms, nationalist and anti-Semitic leaders of movements such as Pamyat', labor unions, Christian movements, and organizations opposed to the division of the Soviet Union. What emerges is a kaleidoscope of leaders with distinct ideas on key issues facing Russia: how to reform the economy, what role the market should play in a new economic system, how to respond to growing demands from non-Russian republics for independence, what leaders can be trusted, what Russia's relations with the West should be, and what form of government would be best for Russia. Gathered here are essays offering historical background on the parties, selected interviews with prominent members of these groups, and important party documents. Whether democracy will flourish in Russia remains in question. The parties profiled here, actively involved in the debate over Russia's future, offer readers an insider's look into contemporary Russian politics.


Book Synopsis The Troubled Birth of Russian Democracy: Parties, Personalities, and Programs by :

Download or read book The Troubled Birth of Russian Democracy: Parties, Personalities, and Programs written by and published by Hoover Press. This book was released on 1993 with total page 340 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The demise of communism in the Soviet Union could not have occurred without the activism of dissident, anticommunist leaders who created and nourished a climate in which ordinary Russians gained the courage to stand up to and defeat communist control. But with communism ousted, what new form of government and what new leaders will emerge in Russia, a society that has never known democracy? Michael McFaul, a research associate at Stanford University's Center for International Security and Arms Control, and Sergei Markov, an assistant professor at Moscow State University, interviewed anti-communist leaders and collected the documents of anticommunist parties in the months preceding and immediately following the August 1991 attempted coup d'etat. To examine the range of the political spectrum in Russia, they also talked to procommunist leaders who emerged to oppose Mikhail Gorbachev's reforms, nationalist and anti-Semitic leaders of movements such as Pamyat', labor unions, Christian movements, and organizations opposed to the division of the Soviet Union. What emerges is a kaleidoscope of leaders with distinct ideas on key issues facing Russia: how to reform the economy, what role the market should play in a new economic system, how to respond to growing demands from non-Russian republics for independence, what leaders can be trusted, what Russia's relations with the West should be, and what form of government would be best for Russia. Gathered here are essays offering historical background on the parties, selected interviews with prominent members of these groups, and important party documents. Whether democracy will flourish in Russia remains in question. The parties profiled here, actively involved in the debate over Russia's future, offer readers an insider's look into contemporary Russian politics.