Description
Russian Politics Today: Stability and Fragility provides an accessible and nuanced introduction to contemporary Russian politics at a time of increasing uncertainty. Using the theme of stability versus fragility as its overarching framework, this innovative textbook explores the forces that shape Russia's politics, economy, and society. The volume provides up-to-date coverage of core themes - Russia's strong presidency, its weak party system, the role of civil society, and its dependence on oil and gas revenues - alongside path-breaking chapters on the politics of race, class, gender, sexuality, and the environment. An international and diverse team of experts presents the most comprehensive available account of the evolution of Russian politics in the post-Soviet era, providing the tools for interpreting the past and the present while also offering a template for understanding future developments.
An accessible, nuanced introduction to contemporary Russian politics with the theme of stability vs. fragility as its overarching framework.
About the Author
Susanne A. Wengle is associate professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame, and concurrent faculty at the Keough School for Global Affairs. Her research examines post-Soviet political economy and engages with the study of markets in that context and beyond. Her publications include Post-Soviet Power: State-Led Development and Russia's Marketization (Cambridge University Press) and Black Earth, White Bread: A Technopolitical History of Russian Agriculture and Food (University of Wisconsin Press).
Reviews
'One of the most comprehensive compilations on Russian politics, this richly illustrated textbook that features outstanding contributions from well-known scholars will be of great value to students and teachers. It offers a holistic take on Russian politics going beyond key political institutions and power dynamics. Refreshingly, it covers issues that have been often neglected in mainstream accounts of Russian politics, offering new perspectives on race, class, gender, sexuality, and the environment. The power elite and the socially marginal, the metropolitan centers and the rural backwaters, all come together in this wonderful new volume to give us a nuanced set of perspectives as we grapple with the realities of an autocracy waging a brutal war in Ukraine.' Tomila Lankina, London School of Economics and Political Science
'To gain a comprehensive, up-to-date, and historically grounded understanding of Russian politics, look no further than this book. This excellent volume brings together a group of experts offering useful and timely insights on key dimensions of Russian politics, economy, and society. Its unparalleled breadth and depth make it not only a great textbook, but also a must-read among scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in Russia.' Cheng Chen, University at Albany, State University of New York
'The coverage of Russian Politics Today is fresh and current; the book includes topics previously overlooked in Russian politics textbooks, such as climate change, race, gender, and ethnicity, along with more standard topics like political institutions, economic development, and foreign policy. The chapters are topical, widely appealing, and provide an important focus on domestic social conditions and political dynamics. The book draws from an internationally diverse pool of well-known authors with deep expertise in their areas of focus.' Hilary Appel, Claremont McKenna College, California
'Wengle has gathered a strong and internationally diverse group of authors, many representing the emerging generation of experts on Russia. They bring fresh perspectives to a wide range of topics, from key institutions and policy areas to such issues as racism and climate change. The volume has particular breadth of coverage about Russia's political economy, from the oligarchs to the country's marginalized. Each chapter provides discussion questions, and additional instructional materials are available online. With its prologue describing the invasion of Ukraine and the resulting changes in Russia's domestic politics and foreign policy, plus references to the war's impact in each relevant chapter, the volume will feel up to date to students. This is an invaluable resource for teaching a subject that is now as important as it has ever been.' William M. Reisinger,, University of Iowa
'This is an outstanding textbook and an excellent resource for anyone who is interested in Russian politics. Containing chapters by leading experts, the book is comprehensive and up to date. The discussion is balanced, sophisticated, and also very readable.' Magnus Feldmann, University of Bristol
'This textbook provides a rich, up-to-date overview of a refreshingly broad range of topics relating to Russian politics, economics, and society, from a diverse group of leading experts. The book will likely prove invaluable for those seeking engaging introductory analysis of Russia during a time of uncertainty and instability.' Ben Noble, University College London
'This is an admirably comprehensive textbook that manages to convey the complexity of Russian politics while remaining highly accessible. If you're going to use a textbook in a course on Russia, this is the book to use! The volume brings together excellent authors, covers the most relevant topics, and will be useful to both beginning and more advanced students.' Masha Hedberg, Colgate University, New York
Book Information
ISBN 9781009165907
Author Susanne A. Wengle
Format Paperback
Page Count 425
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 1190g
Dimensions(mm) 245mm * 190mm * 25mm
An accessible, nuanced introduction to contemporary Russian politics with the theme of stability vs. fragility as its overarching framework.
About the Author
Susanne A. Wengle is associate professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame, and concurrent faculty at the Keough School for Global Affairs. Her research examines post-Soviet political economy and engages with the study of markets in that context and beyond. Her publications include Post-Soviet Power: State-Led Development and Russia's Marketization (Cambridge University Press) and Black Earth, White Bread: A Technopolitical History of Russian Agriculture and Food (University of Wisconsin Press).
Reviews
'One of the most comprehensive compilations on Russian politics, this richly illustrated textbook that features outstanding contributions from well-known scholars will be of great value to students and teachers. It offers a holistic take on Russian politics going beyond key political institutions and power dynamics. Refreshingly, it covers issues that have been often neglected in mainstream accounts of Russian politics, offering new perspectives on race, class, gender, sexuality, and the environment. The power elite and the socially marginal, the metropolitan centers and the rural backwaters, all come together in this wonderful new volume to give us a nuanced set of perspectives as we grapple with the realities of an autocracy waging a brutal war in Ukraine.' Tomila Lankina, London School of Economics and Political Science
'To gain a comprehensive, up-to-date, and historically grounded understanding of Russian politics, look no further than this book. This excellent volume brings together a group of experts offering useful and timely insights on key dimensions of Russian politics, economy, and society. Its unparalleled breadth and depth make it not only a great textbook, but also a must-read among scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in Russia.' Cheng Chen, University at Albany, State University of New York
'The coverage of Russian Politics Today is fresh and current; the book includes topics previously overlooked in Russian politics textbooks, such as climate change, race, gender, and ethnicity, along with more standard topics like political institutions, economic development, and foreign policy. The chapters are topical, widely appealing, and provide an important focus on domestic social conditions and political dynamics. The book draws from an internationally diverse pool of well-known authors with deep expertise in their areas of focus.' Hilary Appel, Claremont McKenna College, California
'Wengle has gathered a strong and internationally diverse group of authors, many representing the emerging generation of experts on Russia. They bring fresh perspectives to a wide range of topics, from key institutions and policy areas to such issues as racism and climate change. The volume has particular breadth of coverage about Russia's political economy, from the oligarchs to the country's marginalized. Each chapter provides discussion questions, and additional instructional materials are available online. With its prologue describing the invasion of Ukraine and the resulting changes in Russia's domestic politics and foreign policy, plus references to the war's impact in each relevant chapter, the volume will feel up to date to students. This is an invaluable resource for teaching a subject that is now as important as it has ever been.' William M. Reisinger,, University of Iowa
'This is an outstanding textbook and an excellent resource for anyone who is interested in Russian politics. Containing chapters by leading experts, the book is comprehensive and up to date. The discussion is balanced, sophisticated, and also very readable.' Magnus Feldmann, University of Bristol
'This textbook provides a rich, up-to-date overview of a refreshingly broad range of topics relating to Russian politics, economics, and society, from a diverse group of leading experts. The book will likely prove invaluable for those seeking engaging introductory analysis of Russia during a time of uncertainty and instability.' Ben Noble, University College London
'This is an admirably comprehensive textbook that manages to convey the complexity of Russian politics while remaining highly accessible. If you're going to use a textbook in a course on Russia, this is the book to use! The volume brings together excellent authors, covers the most relevant topics, and will be useful to both beginning and more advanced students.' Masha Hedberg, Colgate University, New York
Book Information
ISBN 9781009165907
Author Susanne A. Wengle
Format Paperback
Page Count 425
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 1190g
Dimensions(mm) 245mm * 190mm * 25mm
