Russian Politics and Society [Hardcover]

Richard Sakwa (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415415276 | ISBN-13: 978-0415415279 | Publication Date: May 9, 2008 | Edition: 4

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. New to this edition:

• extended coverage of electoral laws, party development and regional politics
• new chapter on the ‘phoney democracy’ period, 1991-93
• 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
• 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.

Editorial Reviews

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., 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

'Altogether, this book serves as a great introduction to Russian politics, but it is by no means only that. There is an irrefutable balance between the necessary descriptive framework for non-specialists and more in-depth analysis, and there are always useful references for a more sophisticated public. As a whole, every reader will find something of interest in this book, depending on their approach and background knowledge in Russian politics. The book provides the reader with both analytical frameworks and more targeted or specialised sections, so that this edition remains both comprehensive and scholarly. The book is not just a textbook but tries to combine strong research input with accessibility. It provides a strong theoretical interpretation, founded on a clear empirical base.' - Henri Duquenne, Sciences-Po, Paris

'This very comprehensive survey is highly commended to all wishing to understand Russia today.' - Richard Sakwa, Mainstream Journal: Bridge of Books

About the Author

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

Product Details

• Hardcover: 608 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 4 edition (May 9, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415415276
• ISBN-13: 978-0415415279
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.1 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,681,103 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reading ! More than just a study !, December 30, 2000

By 

Maurizio Giuliano (Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Russian Politics and Society (Paperback)

It is rare to find academic books which comply with academic rigour, filled with information, data and opinions, and yet which are enjoyable to read. But this book is an exception, like most writings by Richard Sakwa. By inserting some curious historical facts into the studies, and even anecdotes, and by utilizing very refined and enriched vocabulary, the author makes the reading most enjoyable and fascinating, making it a pleasure to read the book - even for those who are just forced to study it out of their tutors' advice, like myself at University ! Wondeful reading, whether or not you are a Russia expert or just interested. The style somewhat resembles that of Tíbor Számuely, also another great writer in this field.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for a textbook, a solid source of information, March 28, 2000

By 

"mlt5" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Russian Politics and Society (Paperback)

I have used this book in my class on modern Russian politics. It is a comprehensive and thematically well-rounded monograph, dealing with subjects from political structure to economy to national identity to foreign policy. In its depth of coverage, it is much more than a regular textbook. Textbooks are often simplistic or lopsided, Sakwa's book is not. I particularly like Sakwa's grounding of politics in broader societal trends, political culture and history. It might be rather heavy on undergraduates in its scope and attention to the detail. Other than that, I have no serious criticisms to raise. I would definitely recommend the book to anyone with genuine interest in Russia as a country and as a political entity. It's a good choice for a textbook, most observations are still valid and relevant for the post-Yeltsin era.

3 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars It is a comprehensive but biased book, July 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Russian Politics and Society (Paperback)

Although it gives a good account about Russian politics and society, Sakwa is a fierce anti-communist and the book is completely written from this perspective.