Stephen White is James Bryce Professor of Politics at the University of Glasgow and a Senior Associate Member of its School of Central and East European Studies. He is also Adjunct Professor of European Studies at the Johns Hopkins University Bologna Center and Visiting Professor at the Institute of Applied Politics in Moscow. His most recent books include the edited collections Developments in Russian Politics 7 (2010), Media, Culture and Society in Putin's Russia (2008) and Politics and the Ruling Group in Putin's Russia (2008).

• 1. From communist to postcommunist rule; 2. Voters, parties and parliament; 3. Presidential government; 4. From plan to market; 5. A divided society; 6. Changing times, changing values; 7. Russia and the wider world; 8. What kind of system?

'In this outstanding contribution, Stephen White presents a masterly analysis of contemporary Russian politics. Based on a close reading of the Russian press as well as by a lifetime devoted to the study of the country, White provides a dispassionate account of the controversial leaderships of Gorbachev, Yeltsin and Putin, allowing us to see their rule in the broader context of the forces shaping Russian politics. This is an outstanding account that is essential reading for students and anyone interested in contemporary Russia.' Richard Sakwa, Professor of Russian and European Politics, University of Kent

Stephen White is James Bryce Professor of Politics at the University of Glasgow and a Senior Associate Member of its School of Central and East European Studies. He is also Adjunct Professor of European Studies at the Johns Hopkins University Bologna Center and Visiting Professor at the Institute of Applied Politics in Moscow. His most recent books include the edited collections Developments in Russian Politics 7 (2010), Media, Culture and Society in Putin's Russia (2008) and Politics and the Ruling Group in Putin's Russia (2008).

• 1. From communist to postcommunist rule; 2. Voters, parties and parliament; 3. Presidential government; 4. From plan to market; 5. A divided society; 6. Changing times, changing values; 7. Russia and the wider world; 8. What kind of system?

'In this outstanding contribution, Stephen White presents a masterly analysis of contemporary Russian politics. Based on a close reading of the Russian press as well as by a lifetime devoted to the study of the country, White provides a dispassionate account of the controversial leaderships of Gorbachev, Yeltsin and Putin, allowing us to see their rule in the broader context of the forces shaping Russian politics. This is an outstanding account that is essential reading for students and anyone interested in contemporary Russia.' Richard Sakwa, Professor of Russian and European Politics, University of Kent

Stephen White is James Bryce Professor of Politics at the University of Glasgow and a Senior Associate Member of its School of Central and East European Studies. He is also Adjunct Professor of European Studies at the Johns Hopkins University Bologna Center and Visiting Professor at the Institute of Applied Politics in Moscow. His most recent books include the edited collections Developments in Russian Politics 7 (2010), Media, Culture and Society in Putin's Russia (2008) and Politics and the Ruling Group in Putin's Russia (2008).

• 1. From communist to postcommunist rule; 2. Voters, parties and parliament; 3. Presidential government; 4. From plan to market; 5. A divided society; 6. Changing times, changing values; 7. Russia and the wider world; 8. What kind of system?

'In this outstanding contribution, Stephen White presents a masterly analysis of contemporary Russian politics. Based on a close reading of the Russian press as well as by a lifetime devoted to the study of the country, White provides a dispassionate account of the controversial leaderships of Gorbachev, Yeltsin and Putin, allowing us to see their rule in the broader context of the forces shaping Russian politics. This is an outstanding account that is essential reading for students and anyone interested in contemporary Russia.' Richard Sakwa, Professor of Russian and European Politics, University of Kent