The Politics of Transition
Shaping a Post-Soviet Future

Traces the politics of Soviet transition in the late 1980s and early 1990s from its origins to its uncertain post-communist future

Stephen White (Author), Graeme Gill (Author), Darrell Slider (Author)

9780521446341, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 27 August 1993

288 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.6 cm, 0.43 kg

"The clear and concise exposition makes this volume accessible to students as well as scholars. It is an excellent introduction for any scholar unfamiliar with this period. It may be appropriate for advanced undergraduates in a course giving close attention to this period of profound change. Because each essay can stand alone, both teachers and scholars will find this volume valuable as a quick introduction, reference and refresher on each of its topics." Philip G. Roeder, Slavic Review

The Soviet system has undergone a dramatic transformation: from communist monopoly to multiparty politics, from marxism to competing values, from centralisation to fragmentation, and from state ownership to a mixed economy. This book, by three of the West's leading scholars of Soviet and post-Soviet affairs, traces the politics of transition in the late 1980s and early 1990s from its origins to its uncertain post-communist future. The authors analyse the full impact of transition on official and popular values, central and local political institutions, the post-Soviet republics, the CPSU and the parties which replaced it, and political communication. Detailed but clearly and accessibly written, The Politics of Transition provides an ideal guide to the changes that have been taking place in the politics of the newly-independent nations that together constitute a sixth of the world's land surface.

1. Beyond marxism
2. Reforming the electoral system
3. Structures of government
4. The presidency and central government
5. From union to independence
6. Patterns of republic and local politics
7. The withering away of the party
8. The emergence of competitive politics
9. The politics of economic interests
10. Public opinion and the political process
11. Letters and political communication
12. The Soviet transition and 'democracy from above'.

Subject Areas: Political structures: democracy [JPHV]