Russia's Capitalist Revolution: Why Market Reform Succeeded and Democracy Failed

by Anders Åslund

Overview

The Russian revolution, collapse of the Soviet Union, and Russia's ensuing transformation belong to the greatest dramas of our time. Revolutions are usually messy and emotional affairs, challenging much of the conventional wisdom, and Russia's experience is no exception. This book focuses on the transformation from Soviet Russia to Russia as a market economy, and explores why the country has failed to transform into a democracy.

It examines the period from 1985, when Mikhail Gorbachev became the Soviet Union's Secretary General of the Communist Party, to the present Russia of Vladimir Putin. Åslund provides a broad overview of Russia's economic change, highlighting the most important issues and their subsequent resolutions, including Russia's inability to sort out the ruble zone during its revolution, several failed coups, and the financial crash of August 1998.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780881324099
Publisher:	Peterson Institute for International Economics
Publication date:	10/26/2007
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	356
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Anders Åslund was a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics from 2006 to May 2015. He examined the economic policies of Russia, Ukraine, and Eastern Europe, as well as the broader implications of economic transition. Åslund served as an economic adviser to the governments of Russia in 1991-94 and Ukraine in 1994-97.

What People are Saying About This

Richard Pipes

"Anders Åslund's Russia's Capitalist Revolution is an exceptionally well-informed account of Russia's tortuous evolution since the reforms of Gorbachev."--(Richard Pipes, Frank B. Baird, Jr. Professor of History Emeritus, Harvard University)

Simon Johnson

"Anders Åslund has done for the collapse of Russian communism what E. H. Carr did for the Bolshevik Revolution."--(Simon Johnson, Director, Research Department, International Monetary Fund)

Michael McFaul

"The central paradox about contemporary Russia is why capitalism has taken root, but democracy has not. Åslund provides a crisp, comprehensive, and compelling answer. Russia's Capitalist Revolution will become a classic overnight...."--(Michael McFaul, Director, Center on Democracy, Development, and Rule of Law, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford University)

Editorial Reviews

This book depicts accurately and elegantly the manifold and complete collapse of the Soviet Union. Åslund clarifies the many components necessary for carrying out reforms. Like few others, he understands the importance of a strong reform team.

Yegor T. Gaidar

The central paradox about contemporary Russia is why capitalism has taken root, but democracy has not. Åslund provides a crisp, comprehensive, and compelling answer. Russia's Capitalist Revolution will become a classic overnight.

Michael McFaul

Anders Åslund's Russia's Capitalist Revolution is an exceptionally well-informed account of Russia's tortuous evolution since the reforms of Gorbachev.

Richard Pipes