The Russian Presidency: Society and Politics in the Second Russian Republic Book

Why has Russian democracy apparently survived under a presidential system, when so many other presidential regimes have decayed into authoritarian rule? What are the origins of presidential power in modern Russia? Thomas M. Nichols argues that the answer lies in the relationship between political institutions and trust: where society and politics are fractious, structural safeguards inherent in presidentialism actually serve to strengthen democratic behavior. The Russian presidency is not the cause of social turmoil in Russia, but rather a successful response to it. This book's emphasis on the social origins of Russian politics explains not only the unexpected survival of Russian democracy, but encourages a reconsideration of the relationship between institutions, social conditions, and democracy. Contains a revised chapter on Putin's presidency.Read More