Democratic breakdown and the decline of the Russian military / Zoltan Barany.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Barany, Zoltan D.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Civil-military relations--Russia (Federation).

Civil-military relations.

Russia (Federation)--Politics and government--1991-.

Russia (Federation).

Russia (Federation). Russkaia Armiia--Reorganization.

Russia (Federation). Russkaia Armiia--Political activity.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xi, 247 pages)

Edition:

Course Book

Place of Publication:

Princeton : Princeton University Press, c2007.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Why have Russian generals acquired an important political position since the Soviet Union's collapse while at the same time the effectiveness of their forces has deteriorated? Why have there been no radical defense reforms in Russia since the end of the cold war, even though they were high on the agenda of the country's new president in 2000? Democratic Breakdown and the Decline of the Russian Military explains these puzzles as it paints a comprehensive portrait of Russian military politics. Zoltan Barany identifies three formative moments that gave rise to the Russian dilemma. The first was Gorbachev's decision to invite military participation in Soviet politics. The second was when Yeltsin acquiesced to a new political system that gave generals a legitimate political presence. The third was when Putin not only failed to press for needed military reforms but elevated numerous high-ranking officers to prominent positions in the federal administration. Included here are Barany's insightful analysis of crisis management following the sinking of the Kursk submarine, a systematic comparison of the Soviet/Russian armed forces in 1985 and the present, and compelling accounts of the army's political role, the elusive defense reform, and the relationship between politicians and generals. Barany offers a rare look at the world of contemporary military politics in an increasingly authoritarian state. Destined to become a classic in post-Soviet studies, this book reminds us of the importance of the separation of powers as a means to safeguard democracy.

Contents:

Introduction

The tragedy and symbolism of the Kursk

Assessing decay: the Soviet/Russian military, 1985-2006

Explaining the military's political presence

The elusive defense reform

Civil-military relations and superpresidentialism

Conclusion.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [193]-237) and index.

ISBN:

9786612935473

9786612129773

9781282129771

1282129775

9781282935471

128293547X

9781400828043

140082804X

OCLC:

336426968