Skip to Main Content

Russia's Stillborn Democracy? From Gorbachev to Yeltsin

Online ISBN:
9780191599347
Print ISBN:
9780199240418
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Book

Russia's Stillborn Democracy? From Gorbachev to Yeltsin

Graeme Gill,
Graeme Gill

Professor, Department of Government

University of Sydney
Find on
Roger D. Markwick
Roger D. Markwick

ARC Senior Research Associate, Department of Government

University of Sydney
Find on
Published online:
1 November 2003
Published in print:
23 March 2000
Online ISBN:
9780191599347
Print ISBN:
9780199240418
Publisher:
Oxford University Press

Abstract

The period since Gorbachev came to power has been a tumultuous time for Russia. It has seen the expectations raised by Gorbachev's efforts to bring about change in the Soviet Union dashed, the collapse of the Soviet superpower and the emergence of a new Russian state claiming to base itself on democratic, market principles. It has seen a political system shattered by a president turning tanks against the parliament, and then that president configuring the new political structure to give himself overwhelming power. These political upheavals took place against a background of social dislocation as the Russian people were ravaged by the effects of economic shock therapy. This book analyses this process, showing how the policies of perestroika, glasnost and democratization failed to bring about the renewal Gorbachev sought. It traces how, in the absence of active civil society forces, Yeltsin built up a hegemonic, but unstable, presidential system that sought to concentrate political power in the presidency. It explains how the quest for a market‐based democracy was undermined by the way in which political elites were able to act largely independently of the wishes of the mass of the population. It was this gulf between mass populace and elite political actors that shaped the course of developments under both Gorbachev and Yeltsin.

Contents
Close
This Feature Is Available To Subscribers Only

Sign In or Create an Account

Close

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

View Article Abstract & Purchase Options

For full access to this pdf, sign in to an existing account, or purchase an annual subscription.

Close