166-216 Russian Politics and Society

Note

Students who have previously taken 166-216 "From Superpower to Anarchical Society" are excluded from taking this subject.

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Normally 25 points of first-year Politics; students with only 12.5 points in Politics may apply to the 2nd/3rd-year coordinator.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

Examination of contending explanations of the rise and decline of communist power in Soviet Russia. The problems and processes of transition from the command economy to the market. Presidential and parliamentary elections. Political democratisation in Russia. Political culture; ideology; nationalism. At the end of the course students should have a comprehensive understanding of the main dynamics and issues in contemporary Russian politics and be able to assess and critically analyse problems in developing a new political system in the Russian Federation. On completion of this subject the student will have: a comprehensive understanding of the main dynamics and issues in contemporary Russian politics; an appreciation of the historical origins of contemporary problems in Russian politics and society; a basic familiarity with the main Russian political parties and their policies and programs; an understanding of the origins and current manifestations of Russian nationalism; the ability to assess and critically analyse problems in developing a new political system in the Russian Federation.

Assessment

Essay work or equivalent totalling 5000 words.

Prescribed Texts

• R Sakwa, Russian Politics and Society.