Russian Government and Politics

Eric Shiraev is a professor and head of a research lab at George Mason University, USA. Eric is a prodigious writer and has published on topics as diverse as Russian Politics and Foreign Policy, International Relations, Cross-Cultural Psychology and Personality Theories.

• PART I: RUSSIA: CONTINUITY AND CHANGE1. Studying Russian Government and Politics2. The Roots: The Russian Empire and the Soviet Union3. The Soviet Transformation, 1985–91PART II: INSTITUTIONS AND PLAYERS4. The Executive Branch5. The Legislative Branch6. The Judicial BranchPART III: POLITICAL BEHAVIOR, PARTICIPATION, AND COMMUNICATION7. Political Parties8. Presidential and Parliamentary Elections9. Political Communication and MobilizationPART IV: POLICIES10. Foreign Policy: Background and Strategies11. Foreign Policy II: Countries and Regions12. Defense and Security Policies13. Economic and Business Policies14. Social Policies: Health, Education and Housing15. Summary and Conclusion.

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.