166-019 Russian Politics and Society

Formerly available as 166-216/316. Students who have completed 166-216 or 166-316 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Usually 25 points of first-year politics or first-year European studies, see Prerequisites.

This subject examines issues in contemporary Russian politics and society. Students will discuss presidential and parliamentary elections; political democratisation in Russia; political culture and ideology, and the war in Chechnya. At the end of the subject 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. Students should also develop an appreciation of the historical origins of contemporary problems in Russian politics and society, and a basic familiarity with the main Russian political parties and their policies and programs.