Causes and Consequences of Democratization : The Regions of Russia

In recent decades, the regions of Russia have taken different paths of regime transition. Despite the consolidation of an autocratic regime at national level and the centralization steered by Vladimir Putin's government, the variation across sub-national regimes persists.

Using an innovative theoretical framework, this book explores both causes and consequences of democratization in the regions of Russia. It is the first study in the field to systematically integrate structural and agency approaches in order to account for economic, social, historical and international causes of democratization and to trace its consequences. By focusing on the challenging and under-studied topic of sub-national regimes, the book provides a unique perspective on regime transition and the new theoretical framework contributes to a better understanding of democratization world-wide.

The book will be of key interest to scholars and students of democratization, sub-national regimes, East European politics, comparative politics, post-communism, and international relations.

"Russia may be a riddle, wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma," but this book does more to unravel its post-Communist experience than any other I can think of. One of its most original aspects is a large-N analysis of sub-national variation in democracy and autocracy, drawing on an extensive databank. No study of democratization – east or west – has done this so thoroughly. Another finding of potentially wider significance is their demonstration that the size and loyalty of the local bureaucracy inherited from the ancient regime is a major contributor to a more autocratic outcome. Highly recommended to those condemned to making sense of post-Communist Russia, but also of interest to students of democratization elsewhere.
- Philippe C. Schmitter, Professor Emeritus, European University Institute