When the Soviet Union collapsed, many hoped that Russia's
centuries-long history of autocratic rule might finally end. Yet
today's Russia appears to be retreating from democracy, not
progressing toward it. "Ruling Russia" is the only book of its kind
to trace the history of modern Russian politics from the Bolshevik
Revolution to the presidency of Vladimir Putin. It examines the
complex evolution of communist and post-Soviet leadership in light
of the latest research in political science, explaining why the
democratization of Russia has all but failed.
William Zimmerman argues that in the 1930s the USSR was
totalitarian but gradually evolved into a normal authoritarian
system, while the post-Soviet Russian Federation evolved from a
competitive authoritarian to a normal authoritarian system in the
first decade of the twenty-first century. He traces how the
selectorate--those empowered to choose the decision makers--has
changed across different regimes since the end of tsarist rule. The
selectorate was limited in the period after the revolution, and
contracted still further during Joseph Stalin's dictatorship, only
to expand somewhat after his death. Zimmerman also assesses
Russia's political prospects in future elections. He predicts that
while a return to totalitarianism in the coming decade is unlikely,
so too is democracy.
Rich in historical detail, "Ruling Russia" is the first book to
cover the entire period of the regime changes from the Bolsheviks
to Putin, and is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand
why Russia still struggles to implement lasting democratic
reforms.
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