Description
Book SynopsisThis book challenges the common view that the Russian Constitution is a sham or a reflection of Russia's authoritarian past.
It instead shows that the Russian Constitution was a product of the constitutional dark arts', an increasingly common constitutional practice that seeks to guarantee liberal democracy and individual rights in a system of highly centralised power.
Over time in Russia, the centralisation of power in the president has undermined the constitution's democratic and rights protections. This Russian experience matters for three reasons.
First, it shows that Russian authoritarianism is neither the personal creation of Vladimir Putin nor a natural reflection of Russian history. It is instead the product of a centralised constitutional system. A democratic Russia is possible but requires more than just Putin leaving office - it also requires breaking with Russia's constitutional commitment to centralisation.
Second, it demonstr
