International Dimensions of Authoritarian Persistence: Lessons from Post-Soviet States

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While the international system has been evolving in an increasingly liberal direction, the level of democratic practice within the post-Soviet region has, on the whole, declined. Two decades after the popular uprisings against communism, many governments in the region have successfully blunted both popular and international pressures for democratic consolidation. Each selection in this volume explores how international factors interact with domestic conditions to explain the persistence of authoritarianism throughout the region. The selections in the volume cover several countries, including Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, South Ossetia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Belarus; special attention is paid to the Russian Federation since it is both a member of the region and acts as an external actor influencing the political development of its neighbors. This volume is especially relevant as the world again experiences the surprising overthrow of long-running authoritarian regimes. The failure of democratic consolidation among post-Soviet states offers important lessons for policymakers and academics dealing with the recent wave of political transitions in the Middle East and Asia.

Reviews

This edited collection focuses on a significant and timely, yet largely neglected, topicthe role of international factors in explaining authoritarian persistence. While focusing on former Soviet states, it is a must read for students and experts seeking to understand the relationship between authoritarianism and globalization. -- Nicole J. Jackson, professor of international studies, Simon Fraser University

Author Bio

Rachel Vanderhill is professor of government at Wofford College. Michael E. Aleprete Jr. is associate professor of political science at Westminster College.