Causes and Consequences of Democratization

In recent decades, the regions of Russia have taken different paths of regime transition. Despite the consolidation of an autocratic regime at national level and the centralization steered by Vladimir Putin's government, the variation across sub-national regimes persists.Using an innovative theoretical framework, this book explores both causes and consequences of democratization in the regions of Russia. It is the first study in the field to systematically integrate structural and agency approaches in order to account for economic, social, historical and international causes of democratization and to trace its consequences. By focusing on the challenging and under-studied topic of sub-national regimes, the book provides a unique perspective on regime transition and the new theoretical framework contributes to a better understanding of democratization world-wide. The book will be of key interest to scholars and students of democratization, sub-national regimes, East European politics, comparative politics, post-communism, and international relations.

Autorentext

Anastassia V. Obydenkova is a Senior Researcher at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain and a Research Fellow at the Centre for International Studies of London School of Economics, UK. Alexander Libman is Associate, German Institute for International and Security Affairs SWP, Berlin, Germany.

Inhalt

1 Introduction 2 Theory of Democratization: Causes and Consequences 3 Regions of Russia: Sub-National Regime Heterogeneity PART I: CAUSES OF DEMOCRATIZATION 4 Determinants of Democracy: Structure and Agency 5 Historical Legacies 6 External Factors 7 Limiting Factor PART II: CONSEQUENCES OF DEMOCRATIZATION 8 Economic Effects 9 Life Satisfaction, Well-Being and Happiness 10 Public Policy and Natural Resources 11 Religiosity as Identity Formation 12 Emergence of Civil Society: Electoral Behavior and Social Protests 13 Conclusion: Integrative Strategy of Structure-Agency Approach