Politics Russia

<p><i>Politics Russia</i> provides the most comprehensive, accessible and up-to-date introduction to all aspects of the political development of Russia in the post-communist era. Writing with the undergraduate student specifically in mind, Danks fluent style and masterly grasp of complex material will make this an indispensable guide for many years to come.</p><p>Divided into five sections, <i>Politics Russia</i> maps a clear path towards an understanding of Russia and its politics in the twenty first century. In <b>Part One</b> the emergence of contemporary Russia is put into context by a consideration of the end of the USSR and the move towards democratization under Gorbachev. <b>Part Two</b> provides a clear-sighted and stimulating overview of the nature of the executive and the legislature in contemporary Russia. <b>Part Three</b> examines civil society, the role of the media and the representative process. <b>Part Four </b>is focussed on the policy process, from foreign and defence policies to the development of domestic social policies from the provision of healthcare to education. <b>Part Five,</b> the final, provides an overall consideration the contemporary state of Russia, examining the development from Yeltsin, to Putin to Medvedev, and considers the possible futures of the region. </p><p>The book is supported by a host of pedagogical features, including:</p><ul> <li>Annotated further reading lists </li> <li>Definitions of key political terms </li> <li>Short biographies of key figures</li> </ul> <p><b>Part One Context</b></p><p>Chapter 1 Gorbachev, perestroika and the end of soviet socialism </p><p>Chapter 2 Explaining the end of the soviet socialism: the USSR and the Cold War</p><p>Chapter 3 Russian in transition</p><p>Chapter 4 Russia and the Russian peoples</p><p><b>Part Two The executive and the legislature</b></p><p>Chapter 5 The Federal Executive: President and Government</p><p>Chapter 6 The Federal Assembly</p><p>Chapter 7 Russian Federalism</p><p>Chapter 8 The Judiciary</p><p>Chapter 9 The State in Uniform: the Armed and Security Forces</p><p><b>Part Three Political ideas, parties and the representative process</b></p><p>Chapter 10 Civil Society</p><p>Chapter 11 The Mass Media</p><p>Chapter 12 Elections and Political Parties</p><p><b>Part Four The policy process and reforming Russia</b></p><p>Chapter 13 Foreign and defence policy</p><p>Chapter 14 The Economy and Economic policy</p><p>Chapter 15 Society and social policies</p><p><b>Conclusion</b></p><p>Chapter 16 From Yeltsin and Putin to Medvedev<b> </b></p>