Russian Government and Politics

by Eric Shiraev

Overview

This new edition covers everything students need to know about the key institutions, people, parties and policies in Russian government and politics, as well as covering political behaviour, participation and communication. Revised to offer coverage and analysis of recent events, this new edition offers:

- Discussion of new developments related to the war in Ukraine and its consequences (geopolitical, political, economic, social, psychological, etc.) for Russia, Europe, Eurasia, and the world.

- Expanded critical discussion of the Russian political system and its pivot toward authoritarianism.

- Detailed discussion of social and cultural issues and their interaction with politics; to further underline the role of individual personalities and the political impact of informal political and business arrangements in Russia.

- New research and statistical updates including opinion polls, expert opinions, and other sources relevant to Russian government and politics.

This is the ideal text for upper-level undergraduate and postgraduate students studying Russian politics or comparative government and politics more broadly.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781350444027
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	03/06/2025
Series:	Comparative Government and Politics
Edition description:	4th ed.
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Eric Shiraev is Professor and Researcher at George Mason University, USA. Eric is a prodigious writer and has published on topics across Russian Politics and Foreign Policy, International Relations, Cross-Cultural Psychology and Personality Theories.

Table of Contents

Part I. Russia: Continuity and Change
Chapter 1. Studying Russian government and politics
Chapter 2. The Roots: Russia and the Soviet Union
Chapter 3. The Soviet and Post-Soviet Transformations (1985-the 1990s)

Part II: Government Institutions
Chapter 4. The Executive Branch
Chapter 5. The Legislative Branch
Chapter 6. The Judicial Branch and Justice Administration

Part III: Political Behavior, Participation, and Communication
Chapter 7. Political Parties and Political Movements
Chapter 8. Presidential, Parliamentary, and Local Elections
Chapter 9. Media, Social Networks, and Political Communications

Part IV: Russian Policies
Chapter 10. Foreign Policy: Principles and Strategies
Chapter 11. Foreign Policy: Regions and Countries
Chapter 12. Defense and Security Policies
Chapter 13. Business and Financial Policies
Chapter 14. Social Policies: Health, Education, and Housing
Chapter 15. Summary and Conclusion

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Eric Shiraev’s third edition of Russian Government and Politics remains engaging, detailed, and a good length for teaching schedules as it brings existing material on government institutions and policies fully up to date. It retains effective features from previous editions, including the Critical Thinking analyses that prompt student discussion. Welcome additions include an expanded section on Russian foreign policy – vital to understanding Russia in today’s world politics.” (Pamela A. Zeiser, University of North Florida, USA)

“This is an essential guide for grasping the nature of Russian government and politics. The text is highly comprehensive — stretching from the time of early Russian state formation to the Constitutional amendments in 2020 — and yet doesn’t lose sight of the complexity (and paradoxes) of the material covered. It offers an admirable overview of the institutional machinery of Russian government and surveys with critical precision recent politics and policies in key domains such as the economy, social issues and foreign relations. Students as well as teachers will be grateful for such a well-organized work of synthesis, based on thorough knowledge and written with insight.” (Peter Vermeersch, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium)

“Russian Government and Politics is a comprehensive, up-to-date and accessible guide to the contemporary politics of Russia which will help students develop a deeper and more rounded understanding of this vital field of study.” (Eleanor Bindman, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK)

“Russian Government and Politics provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the Russian state and its leaders. In an age where simple headlines, memes, and social media chat can too often dominate perceptions, the updated third edition of Eric Shiraev’s book gives its readers context and information in order to better understand Russia.” (Edwin Bacon, University of Lincoln, UK)

“This textbook is an excellent resource, not only for understanding why and how the political system in Russia has emerged in the way that it has, but also tracing developments in the policies that have been implemented by various Russian governments. Each chapter actively encourages critical thinking from the reader, promoting active engagement with the material.” (Matthew J. Frear, Leiden University, The Netherlands)

Editorial Reviews

Eric Shiraev's third edition of Russian Government and Politics remains engaging, detailed, and a good length for teaching schedules as it brings existing material on government institutions and policies fully up to date. It retains effective features from previous editions, including the Critical Thinking analyses that prompt student discussion. Welcome additions include an expanded section on Russian foreign policy – vital to understanding Russia in today's world politics.” —Pamela A. Zeiser, University of North Florida, USA

“This is an essential guide for grasping the nature of Russian government and politics. The text is highly comprehensive - stretching from the time of early Russian state formation to the Constitutional amendments in 2020 - and yet doesn't lose sight of the complexity (and paradoxes) of the material covered. It offers an admirable overview of the institutional machinery of Russian government and surveys with critical precision recent politics and policies in key domains such as the economy, social issues and foreign relations. Students as well as teachers will be grateful for such a well-organized work of synthesis, based on thorough knowledge and written with insight.” —Peter Vermeersch, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium

“Russian Government and Politics is a comprehensive, up-to-date and accessible guide to the contemporary politics of Russia which will help students develop a deeper and more rounded understanding of this vital field of study.” —Eleanor Bindman, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK

“Russian Government and Politics provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the Russian state and its leaders. In an age where simple headlines, memes, and social media chat can too often dominate perceptions, the updated third edition of Eric Shiraev's book gives its readers context and information in order to better understand Russia.” —Edwin Bacon, University of Lincoln, UK
“This textbook is an excellent resource, not only for understanding why and how the political system in Russia has emerged in the way that it has, but also tracing developments in the policies that have been implemented by various Russian governments. Each chapter actively encourages critical thinking from the reader, promoting active engagement with the material.” (Matthew J. Frear, Leiden University, The Netherlands)

From the Publisher