Russian Politics

4 credits · Undergraduate

This course investigates contemporary politics and society in Russia. What was the Soviet Union,and why did democracy fail in Russia after the USSR fell apart? What kind of regime has VladimirPutin constructed? How did Russia reemerge as a global force and how does it challenge the Westand democracy around the world? How may we understand the nature of Russian nationalism? Whatdo we know about public opinion and the lives of ordinary Russians? We will also study the politicsof several other post-Soviet states, including Ukraine. How has Ukraine’s course diverged fromRussia’s, and how has Russia’s war on Ukraine affected Ukrainian politics and society?