Contemporary Belarus: Between Democracy and Dictatorship

by Elena Korosteleva (Editor), Colin Lawson (Editor), Rosalind Marsh (Editor)

Overview

Belarus is unique among the states of the former Soviet bloc, in that after a decade of transition', the country remains stalled' and backward-oriented. Political and economic changes are characterised by half-measures, and recently a new suppression of dissent has been introduced; the country balances between the prospect of democracy and a retreat to authoritarianism. These developments contrast starkly with the many democratic changes in neighbouring states and suggest a possible alternative path for future development in Eastern Europe. This book provides a thorough overview of current developments in Belarus. It looks at historical, political, economic and social changes, and at international relations, especially relations with Russia and the European Union, considering all these factors both in their domestic and international contexts and defines the type of democracy, if any, which exists in Belarus, exploring the prospects for further democratisation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780700716135
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	10/10/2002
Pages:	220
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Elena Korosteleva, Colin Lawson, Rosalind Marsh

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: paradoxes of democratisation in post-communist Belarus E. Korosteleva , Colin Lawson and Rosalind Marsh 2. History and politics in post-Soviet Belarus: the foundations David Marples 3. Explaining post-communist authoritarianism in Belarus Vital Silitski 4. Difficulties of elite formation in Belarus after 1991 Olga Belova-Gille 5. Party system development in post-communist Belarus Elena Korosteleva 6. Electoral politics of Belarus compared Christian Haerpfer 7. President and opposition: specific features of the Belarusian political scene David Rotman and Aliaksandr Danilov 8. Belarus: in search of national identity between 1986 and 2000 Jan Zaprudnik 9. Path-dependence and the economy of Belarus: the consequences of late reforms Colin Lawson 10. Economic policy in Belarus from official and oppositional perspectives Nagezhda Lisovskaia and Julia Korosteleva 11. Russia and Belarus: the quest for the union; or who will pay for Belarus's path to recovery Anastasia Nesvetailova 12. Belarus's external relations Denis Krivosheev 13. Belarus's relations wit the European Union: a western perspective Teresa Dumasy 14. Afterword: the presidential election of September 2001Index

Editorial Reviews

'sets a good standard for others to follow, and will be a boon to students and scholars alike.' - Slavonic and East European Review

From the Publisher