Strong State in Russia

This book provides a succinct account of the major periods in evolution of Russia's 'strong state' construct by reviewing the external and internal contexts of its emergence, progression, and fall in Muscovy, St. Petersburg, Soviet Union, and post-Soviet Russia, with an emphasis on the last two decades. Each time a combination of these contexts was distinct, thereby producing different political outcomes in Russia. The book argues that a perspective on Russia from aWestern viewpoint is limited and that there has been an alternative way of thinking about the nation and its problems. While focusing on contemporary developments of the Russian state, the book situates them in a broader historical context and highlights that the roots of these developments are inthe Tsar's autocratic system. Russia's strong state has evolved and survived throughout centuries and that alone suggests its historical vitality and possible future revival. From this perspective, the central scholarly question is not whether Russia will recreate a strong state, but, rather, what kind of a strong state it will be and under which circumstances it is likely to function.

Andrei Tsygankov's The Strong State in Russia interprets Russian history from the pre-tsarist era to the present, with chapters dedicated to some of the most important issues facing Russia today. Arguing for a deep continuity in Russian politics, Tsygankov's interpretation will challenge many notions about Russia widely accepted in the West. Clear and engaging, the book is well suited for the classroom and will also be of great interest to all seeking to understand this important country.

Andrei P. Tsygankov is Professor of International Relations and Political Science at San Francisco State University. A Russian native, he is a contributor to both Western and Russian academia. His latest books are Russia and the West from Alexander to Putin (Cambridge, 2012) and Traditions of Russian Political Thought (Moscow, 2013).