"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
In their book, Obydenkova and Libman provide the most comprehensive and up to date account of Russias sub-national politics. Using a variety of historical and contemporary datasets and rigorous statistical analysis, they offer a nuanced and well-grounded explanation of the causes and effects of the diversity of political regimes within the country. A must read for scholars of Russian and comparative politics.
Vladimir Gelman, European University at St. Petersburg, and Aleksanteri Institute, University of Helsinki
One of the landmarks in comparative democratisation studies in the last decade has been the development of studies of sub-national regime variation and dynamics. This book takes this approach to a new level of sophistication in a study of regional democratisation in Putins Russia. It thereby offers several novel insights into one of the most conspicuous and threatening autocracies in the world today.
Jan Teorell, Professor of Political Science, Lund University
Libman and Obydenkova have written an impressive book that takes full advantage of Russias regional diversity to test long-standing arguments about the sources of democracy and the economic impacts of political regimes. Rich in empirical detail and far ranging in its analysis, this work offers fresh insights into the relationship between economic performance and democracy. It deserves a wide audience in comparative political economy and Russian studies.
Timothy M. Frye, Director, Harriman Institute, and Marshall D. Shulman Professor of Post-Soviet Foreign Policy, Columbia University
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