RUSSIAN POLITICS

This course investigates contemporary politics and society in Russia. What was the Soviet Union, and why did democracy fail in Russia after the USSR fell apart? What kind of regime has Vladimir Putin constructed? How did Russia reemerge as a global force and how does it challenge the West and democracy around the world? How may we understand the nature of Russian nationalism? What do we know about public opinion and the lives of ordinary Russians? We will also study the politics of several other post-Soviet states, including Ukraine. How has Ukraine’s course diverged from Russia’s, and how has Russia’s war on Ukraine affected Ukrainian politics and society? The course is recommended for juniors and seniors but is open to all students.