Description
Book SynopsisRussia today is in many ways different from the country portrayed a decade ago in the first edition of Understanding Contemporary Russia. With an upsurge of both national pride - despite a struggling economy - and civil society activism, with a palpable tension between the support for democratic values and the intense desire for political stability, with an increased role in world politics that puts Putin in the headlines almost daily, contradictions and complexities abound.
These contradictions, complexities, and much more are captured in this new edition.
The authors provide sophisticated yet accessible introductions to the country’s history, domestic politics, economy, foreign policy, society, and culture. The result is a well-grounded exploration of the realities of contemporary Russia.
Trade ReviewPraise for the previous edition:
“A solid and insightful introduction to Russia...thoughtful and balanced...[It is] a valuable addition to Russian studies.” —
The Russian Review“A great background reader for those looking for a quick and fairly complete evaluation of the many sides of Russia.” —
ChoiceTable of ContentsIntroduction M.L. Bressle Russia: A Geographic Preface D.J.B. Shaw The Historical Context S.G. Marks Politics M.L. Bressler The Economy W. Pyle International Relations A.C. Lynch Ethnicity and Identity K.E. Graney Population, Health, and Migration T. Heleniak The Environment and Environmental Movement L.A. Henry Women in a Changing Context S.L. Henderson Religion O. Kazmina Literature and Film A. Barker Trends and Prospects M.L. Bressler
