Elections, Protest, and Authoritarian Regime Stability: Russia 2008–2020
Cambridge University Press, 10/29/2020
EAN 9781108841207, ISBN10: 1108841201
Hardcover, 268 pages, 22.9 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm
Language: English
Originally published in English
In a path-breaking study of Russian elections, Regina Smyth reveals how much electoral competition matters to the Putin regime and how competition leaves Russia more vulnerable to opposition challenges than is perceived in the West. Using original data and analysis, Smyth demonstrates how even weak political opposition can force autocratic incumbents to rethink strategy and find compromises in order to win elections. Smyth challenges conventional notions about Putin's regime, highlighting the vast resources the Kremlin expends to maintain a permanent campaign to construct regime-friendly majorities. These tactics include disinformation as well as symbolic politics, social benefits, repression, and falsification. This book reveals the stresses and challenges of maintaining an electoral authoritarian regime and provides a roadmap to understand how seemingly stable authoritarian systems can fall quickly to popular challenges even when the opposition is weak. A must-read for understanding Russia's future and the role of elections in contemporary autocratic regimes.
1. Elections, Protest, and Hybrid Regime Dynamics
2. Winning Hybrid Elections
Organized Opposition, Incumbent Regimes, and The Threat of Popular Engagement
3. The Long Game
Inter-Election Efforts to Shape Electoral Victories
4. The Unexpected Power of Weak Opposition
Organizations, Frames, and Political Opportunities
5. The Vote Protest
State, Opposition, and Voters in Russian Elections
6. The Polls Close And Two Movements Emerge
7. Protest and Rally Dynamics
A National Conversation Over Russia's Future
8. The Perpetual Campaign
Regime Response and Opposition Innovation
9. 2018-2020
Competition and Contestation.