The Evolution of a Patronal Autocracy: The Case of Russia

About

The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has heightened the geopolitical importance of the region, catalyzing significant shifts in Eastern Europe and Eurasia – including Russia itself. To fully grasp these changes, a deep understanding of Russia’s post-communist evolution is crucial, coupled with a comparative analytical framework tailored to the region’s complexities.

This course, led by esteemed Eastern European and Russian émigré scholars, will explore the political, economic, and social dynamics that have shaped Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union, extending to the present ramifications of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Participants will engage in lectures and discussions to analyze Russia’s development trajectory, examining concepts like informality, patronal autocracy, and relational economy to assess the trends of democratization and de-democratization. Transcending the conventional “hybrid regime” paradigm of political science, this course introduces participants to new interdisciplinary approaches informed by the Eurasian literature on the region.

Financial aid is available, in limited numbers.

Course leader

Bálint Magyar & Bálint Madlovics (Democracy Institute, Central European University, Budapest, Hungary)

Target group

Target audience:
This interdisciplinary course welcomes those interested in social science fields such as political science, political economy, and sociology. Ideal participants include university students, young researchers, investigative journalists focused on Russia, and professionals working in human rights NGOs.

Pre-requisites :
Participants should have a dedicated interest in Eastern European regimes, societies and processes of politics and economy. A background in social sciences, such as political science, sociology, or political economy, is beneficial.

Fee info