RUSSIAN POLITICS
Political Science 340C
Stetson University
Spring 2004
TTh 2:30
Students raised on American politics are used to settled institutional arrangements and a
stable society. Russia offers neither. There, the most fundamental questions concerning
territorial boundaries, the distribution of political power, and the nature of the economy are being
decided before our eyes. Choices made in Russia this semester, this year, and this decade will
have profound consequences for the country--and the world--well into this century.
There is a temptation, as Jerry Hough once observed, for students of Russian politics to
become astrologers. We must resist that in this course. This is not to say that we'll shy away
from all speculation, but our primary task is to develop an analytical framework through which
we can view recent political developments. This requires us to become familiar with some
specific features of Russia's history, culture, and demography and with selected theories in
comparative political science, including those on transitions, institutional design, and public
choice. The challenge for all of us is to understand where Russia fits existing theoretical molds
and where it breaks them.
Assessment in the course will be based on a midterm examination, a final examination,
and a short research paper. Each will be weighted equally (30 percent) in the determination of
the final grade. I shall reserve the final 10 percent of the grade to reward informed participation
or discourage poor attendance (more than two absences). The research paper will give students
an opportunity to pursue in greater depth a topic raised in the syllabus. In the research, students
should use, whenever possible, materials translated from the Russian press.
Students are encouraged to stop in during office hours (Monday and Wednesday from 11
to 12 and Tuesday and Thursday from 11 to 12:15). If those times are inconvenient, I am happy
to be meet by appointment. My extension is 7576 and the e-mail is “ehuskey”.
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I. THE RUSSIAN POLITICAL INHERITANCE
1. Lands and peoples
Examine carefully maps of Russia that illustrate physical, cultural, and political
geography (Russian Studies Center or DuPont Ball Library).
2. Revolution, Reform, and Reaction in Russian History
R. Tucker, “The Image of Dual Russia,” in The Soviet Political Mind, pp.
121-142.
T. von Laue, Why Lenin? Why Stalin?, pp. 37-51.
M. McAuley, Soviet Politics: 1917-1991, pp. 1-23.
II. THE SOVIET EXPERIMENT
1. Building Communism, 1917-1953
McAuley, Soviet Politics, pp. 24-61.
W. Leonhard, Child of the Revolution, pp. 17-69.
S. Bialer, Stalin's Successors, pp. 7-46.
4. Reforming Communism, 1953-1988
McAuley, Soviet Politics, pp. 61-88.
Conversations with Gorbachev, pp. 1-66.
5. Dismantling Communism, 1988-1992
(October-
McAuley, Soviet Politics, pp. 89-123.
Conversations with Gorbachev, pp. 66-213.
A. Dallin, "The Causes of the Collapse of the USSR," Post-Soviet Affairs
December 1992), pp. 279-302.
Anna (film by Nikita Mikhalkov)
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III.
THE POLITICS OF TRANSITION
1. Conceptualizing the Transition from Communism
A. Brown, Contemporary Russian Politics, pp. 455-498; 363-366.
2. A Survey of Russia’s Political History since 1991
No readings.
MIDTERM
IV.
A STATE AND SOCIETY TRANSFORMED UNDER YELTSIN?
1. The President as Republican Monarch
Brown, pp. 9-45.
2. The Parliament and Executive-Legislative Relations
Brown, pp. 99-130.
3. Elections
Brown, pp. 151-207.
4. The Formation of Russian Parties
Brown, pp. 211-243.
5. Public Opinion and the Media
Brown, pp. 289-342.
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6. Moscow’s Struggle with the Provinces
Brown, pp. 343-354; 369-411; 499-510.
V. CROSSCURRENTS OF DEMOCRACY AND AUTHORITARIANISM UNDER PUTIN
1. The Transition within The Transition: Yeltsin Cedes Power
Shevtsova, pp. 1-62.
2. The Battle Joined: Putin Against the Oligarchs, Regions, and Parliament
Shevtsova, pp. 63-156.
3. Consolidating Democracy or Authoritarianism?
Shevtsova, pp. 157-214.
E. Huskey, “Speedy, Just, and Fair? Russian Legal Reform under Putin.”
4. The Elections of 2003-2004 and the Melding of Party and State
Shevtsova, pp. 215-254.
5. Conceptualizing the Future
Shevtsova, pp. 255-270.
Brown, pp. 513-568.
FINAL EXAMINATION
Saturday, May 1, 8-10am