Unlearning the Soviet Tongue

Discursive Practices of a Democratizing Polity

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Language Arts, Communication, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Communism & Socialism, International, International Relations
Cover of the book Unlearning the Soviet Tongue by Natalia Kovalyova, Lexington Books
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Author: Natalia Kovalyova ISBN: 9780739191941
Publisher: Lexington Books Publication: September 24, 2014
Imprint: Lexington Books Language: English
Author: Natalia Kovalyova
ISBN: 9780739191941
Publisher: Lexington Books
Publication: September 24, 2014
Imprint: Lexington Books
Language: English

How do countries democratize? What route does the way out of totalitarianism take? Students of Russian politics have pursued answers to these questions by surveying Russians on a variety of attitudes, beliefs, norms, and practices. This bookattends to political discourse to demonstrate how it creates and constraints political opportunities. Itexaminesan important period of Russian political history: from Boris Yeltsin’s second presidential election in 1996, when democracy was pronounced victorious, through its gradual slide toward authoritarian practices during Vladimir Putin’s initial two terms in office, and to the election of his protégé Dmitry Medvedev in 2008. This analysis challenges the assertions ofRussian democracy as doomed by the governing rationalities of the elites. Likewise, it refutesthe notion of Russians as an apathetic nation in chronic need of a “strong hand.” It argues that if we are to understand how Russia lives, how it endures, and how it can change, we need to pay attention to the discourses that shape Russian political identities and the nation’s political future.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

How do countries democratize? What route does the way out of totalitarianism take? Students of Russian politics have pursued answers to these questions by surveying Russians on a variety of attitudes, beliefs, norms, and practices. This bookattends to political discourse to demonstrate how it creates and constraints political opportunities. Itexaminesan important period of Russian political history: from Boris Yeltsin’s second presidential election in 1996, when democracy was pronounced victorious, through its gradual slide toward authoritarian practices during Vladimir Putin’s initial two terms in office, and to the election of his protégé Dmitry Medvedev in 2008. This analysis challenges the assertions ofRussian democracy as doomed by the governing rationalities of the elites. Likewise, it refutesthe notion of Russians as an apathetic nation in chronic need of a “strong hand.” It argues that if we are to understand how Russia lives, how it endures, and how it can change, we need to pay attention to the discourses that shape Russian political identities and the nation’s political future.

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