Russian politics under Putin

Abstract:

This work brings together a number of essays by distinguished scholars and Russia watchers.

The work is organised in five parts. The first provides the historical background and traces the factors which gave rise to Putin’s election to the Kremlin in March 2000. Part two discusses Russia’s route to democracy following the collapse of communism, and the proliferation of political parties to fill the vacuum - giving rise to sceptical disenchantment of the electorate. The third part address the economic issues which Putin has encountered from the initial legacy through the demise of the command economy, wholesale privatisation, the release of market forces and currency management. Part four explores the development of regional politics and the tense interaction between the regional politicians and the Kremlin. The record of democratisation of Russia is patchy and many electoral victories have been won from exceedingly low levels of turnout and little competition. These elements are explored in greater detail in chapter eleven. Part five moves to consider foreign policy and Chechnya and deals with Russia’s policy objectives towards the EU, to a pan-European security structure and a pan-European economic and legal infrastructure with potential for a EU-Russia free trade area. The Chechnya problem and Putin’s capacity or ability to deal with it are covered together with Russia’s foreign policy on the CIS and the Baltic states.

The work will interest academics, policy makers and researchers engaged in Russian Studies, International Relations and Comparative Politics.

Cameron Ross is Lecturer in Politics at the University of Dundee.