Books.org participates in affiliate programs including Bookshop.org and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.
Overview
In Russia’s Revolution: Essays 1989—2006AEI resident scholar Leon Aron brings together his observations of the last great revolution of the twentieth century, which began with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989 and continues today in Putin’s Russia. Aron explores the broad range of political, economic, social, and cultural developments in Russia in the last fifteen years, ranging from the vagaries of privatization to the recovery of Russia’s glorious gastronomic tradition to the challenges of postauthoritarian life as seen through the eyes of Boris Akunin, the bestselling Russian mystery writer. Aron also prepares us for the possible crises ahead, such as the 2008 Russian presidential election, the growing demographic crisis of an aging and unhealthy population, and the fallout from a potentially bankrupt state-owned pension system. Anyone interested in understanding the changes Russia has undergone should read this book.
Synopsis
Aron's collection of essays begins with Mikhail Gorbachev's policy of perestroika and continues through Vladimir Putin's increasingly authoritarian rule. He examines the enormity of the changes in the fabric of the life of millions of Russians, and looks at the emergence of a new middle class and at the popularity of a series of mystery novels that embodies middle class values. He also examines legal and political reforms and corruption. With rich color and detail, Aron puts his finger on the pulse of the new Russia.