Patronal Politics
Eurasian Regime Dynamics in Comparative Perspective

This book proposes a new way of understanding events throughout the world that are usually interpreted as democratization, rising authoritarianism, or revolution.

Henry E. Hale (Author)

9781107423138, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 31 October 2014

558 pages, 8 b/w illus. 3 tables
22.6 x 15.2 x 3.8 cm, 0.77 kg

'This excellent study will be of value to anyone interested in what followed the Soviet collapse.' J. Arch Getty, American Historical Review

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.

1. Introduction
2. Patronal politics and the great power of expectations
3. A patronal-politics reinterpretation of Eurasian history
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. Non-revolution in post-Soviet presidential systems
9. After revolution
10. Patronal parliamentarism
11. Explaining post-Soviet regime dynamics
12. Patronal politics in global comparative perspective.

Subject Areas: Constitution: government & the state [JPHC], Politics & government [JP]