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Abstract:
This innovative, multi-contributed book argues convincingly that Russia will never be able to create a viable democracy as long as authoritarian regimes are able to flourish in the regions. The main themes covered are democratisation at the regional level, and the problems faced by the federal states in forging viable democratic institutions in what is now a highly assymetrical Federation. A major strength of the book lies in its combination of thematic chapters with case studies of particular regions and republics. Very little has been published to date on the actual processes of democratisation in particular republics and regions.
The book takes into account the literature available on the 'new institutionalism' and outlines the importance of institutions in developing and maintaining democracy. It looks at the importance of sovereignty, federalism and democratic order, and considers the distinct problems of party-building in Russia's regions. Electoral politics are also considered fully, before the book goes on to consider the whole issue of regional politics and democratisation in five particular areas of Russia – Novgorod, the Komi Republic, Russia's Far East, Tatarstan and Bashkortostan.
The authors, the majority of whom are internationally recognised experts in their field, have been drawn from Britain, the USA, Russia and Germany, giving the book a truly global perspective.
Contents:
1. Federalism, sovereignty and democracy - Richard Sakwa
2. Regional voting patterns in post-communist Russia - Matthew Wyman, Stephen White, Ian McAllister & Sarah Oates
3. Political parties and regional democracy - Cameron Ross
4. The role of Russia's Governors in the 1999-2000 federal elections - Danielle N. Lussier
5. High stakes, low chances: the failure of party politics in St. Petersburg - Grigorii V. Golosov & Vadim Goncharov
6. The development of political institutions in three regions of the Russian Far East - Jeffrey W. Hahn
7. Regional democratisation in Russia: Some lessons from Novgorod - Nicolai N. Petro
8. Problems of democratisation in the Komi Republic - James Alexander
9. Democratisation, structural pluralism and fragile Bi-entrism: The case of Volgograd Oblast - Vladimir Gel'man
10. Bashkortostan: A case of regional authoritarianism - Jörn Grävingholt
11. Tatarstan: Syndrome of authoritarianism - Midkhat Farukshin
12. Putin reforms the federal system - Elizabeth Teague
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