Politics and Society in Post-Soviet States

2022/2023

Учебный год

ENG

Обучение ведется на английском языке

4

Кредиты

Кто читает:

Департамент политологии и международных отношений

Статус:

Курс по выбору

Когда читается:

3-й курс, 1, 2 модуль

Преподаватели

Аскеров Мир-Али Исмаилович

Егоров Роман Вадимович

Стародубцев Андрей Владимирович

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course is devoted to the analysis of the political and social development of the post-Soviet space and individual countries of this region from the point of view of the main sections of comparative politics - horizontal and vertical distribution of power, political regimes, party systems and electoral institutions, as well as models of interest groups participation in political process.

Learning Objectives

• The course aims at forming a coherent knowledge of the recent political developments in the post-Soviet states through the lens of various conceptual and theoretical approaches.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• evaluates arguments, presents ideas and defends a theoretical position in relation to the topics covered
• explains political, economic and social developments in the post-Soviet states using concepts from political science theory
• shows understanding of the political systems and societies of the post-Soviet states and their relationships with Russia, the EU and China

Course Contents

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Horizontal distribution of power in the post-Soviet countries
• 3. Vertical distribution of power in the post-Soviet countries
• 4. Political regimes in the post-Soviet countries
• 5. Political parties in the post-Soviet countries
• 6. Electoral institutions in the post-Soviet countries
• 7. Interest groups in the post-Soviet countries
• 8. Conclusions

Assessment Elements

• Participation
  The instructor evaluates the quality and quantity of participation in in-class discussions, answering the questions on the reading assignments, and other in-class activities.
• Essay
  Essays must be written in the format of an analysis of the political system of one of the countries of the post-Soviet space. The text of 2000 to 3000 words should include the following sections: 1) horizontal separation of powers; 2) vertical separation of powers; 3) political regime; 4) party system; 5) electoral institutions; 6) interest groups. The student is expected to provide correct information regarding the institutional structure of the chosen country, as well as an analysis of the causes for the formation and consequences of the functioning of the relevant institutions. References to sources of factual data, as well as used academic and non-academic texts are required.
• Exam
  The test covers the lecture material and home assignments. It includes 10 multiple-choice questions (1 point each) and two open questions (5 points each).

Interim Assessment

• 2022/2023 2nd module
  0.3 * Essay + 0.4 * Exam + 0.3 * Participation

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Driscoll, J. R. (DE-588)1046906879, (DE-627)777297523, (DE-576)400219077, aut. (2015). Warlords and coalition politics in post-Soviet states Jesse Driscoll.
• Hale, H. E. . (DE-588)136496350, (DE-576)301049882. (2015). Patronal politics : Eurasian regime dynamics in comparative perspective / Henry E. Hale. New York, NY: Cambridge Univ. Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.419984909
• Krol, G. V. (DE-588)114759550X, (DE-627)1006346368, (DE-576)495886505, aut. (2021). Amending legislatures in authoritarian regimes power sharing in post-Soviet Eurasia Gerrit Krol.
• Lankina, T. V., & Libman, A. (2019). Soviet legacies of economic development, oligarchic rule, and electoral quality in Eastern Europe’s partial democracies: the case of Ukraine. LSE Research Online Documents on Economics.
• Linda J. Cook. (2007). Postcommunist Welfare States : Reform Politics in Russia and Eastern Europe. Cornell University Press.

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Allina-Pisano, J. (2008). The Post-Soviet Potemkin Village : Politics and Property Rights in the Black Earth. Cambridge University Press.
• Beissinger, M. R. (2013). The Semblance of Democratic Revolution: Coalitions in Ukraine’s Orange Revolution. American Political Science Review, 3, 574.
• Bolkvadze, K. V. (DE-588)1209890712, (DE-627)1697809537, aut. (2020). To reform or to retain? politicians’ incentives to clean up corrupt courts in hybrid regimes Ketevan Bolkvadze.
• Darden, K., & Grzymala-Busse, A. (2006). The Great Divide: Literacy, Nationalism, and the Communist Collapse. https://doi.org/10.1353/wp.2007.0015
• Lucan Way. (2015). Pluralism by Default : Weak Autocrats and the Rise of Competitive Politics. Johns Hopkins University Press.
• Rosenfeld, B. V. (DE-588)1150654570, (DE-627)1010843362, (DE-576)497147580, aut. (2021). State dependency and the limits of middle class support for democracy Bryn Rosenfeld.
• Scott B. Radnitz. (2010). Weapons of the Wealthy : Predatory Regimes and Elite-Led Protests in Central Asia. Cornell University Press.