Includes bibliographical references (pages 489-521) and index.
Contents:
1. Introduction -- 2. Patronal politics and the great power of expectations -- 3. Eurasian history as patronal politics -- 4. Constitutions, elections, and regime dynamics -- 5. The emergence of networks and constitutions -- 6. The building of Eurasia's great power pyramids -- 7. Revolutions and other presidential ousters -- 8. Nonrevolution in post-Soviet presidential systems -- 9. After revolution -- 10. Patronal parliamentarism -- 11. Explaining post-Soviet regime dynamics -- 12. Patronal politics in global comparative perspective.
Summary:
"This book proposes a new way of understanding events throughout the world that are usually interpreted as democratization, rising authoritarianism, or revolution. Where the rule of law is weak and corruption pervasive, what may appear to be democratic or authoritarian breakthroughs are often just regular, predictable phases in longer-term cyclic dynamics - patronal politics. This is shown through in-depth narratives of the post-1991 political history of all post-Soviet polities that are not in the European Union. This book also includes chapters on czarist and Soviet history and on global patterns"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.