Wow! eBook
Russia's Capitalist Revolution: Why Market Reform Succeeded and Democracy Failed
Author(s): Anders Åslund (Author)
- Publisher: Peterson Inst Int Economics
- Publication Date: 26 Oct. 2007
- Edition: Illustrated
- Language: English
- Print length: 356 pages
- ISBN-10: 0881324094
- ISBN-13: 9780881324099
Book Description
The Russian revolution, collapse of the Soviet Union, and Russia’s ensuing transformation belong to the greatest dramas of our time. Revolutions are usually messy and emotional affairs, challenging much of the conventional wisdom, and Russia’s experience is no exception. This book focuses on the transformation from Soviet Russia to Russia as a market economy, and explores why the country has failed to transform into a democracy.
It examines the period from 1985, when Mikhail Gorbachev became the Soviet Union’s Secretary General of the Communist Party, to the present Russia of Vladimir Putin. Åslund provides a broad overview of Russia’s economic change, highlighting the most important issues and their subsequent resolutions, including Russia’s inability to sort out the ruble zone during its revolution, several failed coups, and the financial crash of August 1998.
Editorial Reviews
Review
The central paradox about contemporary Russia is why capitalism has taken root, but democracy has not. Åslund provides a crisp, comprehensive, and compelling answer.
Russia’s Capitalist Revolution will become a classic overnight.–Michael McFaul, Director, Center on Democracy, Development, and Rule of Law, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford UniversityThis book depicts accurately and elegantly the manifold and complete collapse of the Soviet Union. Åslund clarifies the many components necessary for carrying out reforms. Like few others, he understands the importance of a strong reform team.–Yegor T. Gaidar, former prime minister of Russia
