Putin

The new edition of this extremely well-received political biography of Vladimir Putin builds on the strengths of the first edition to provide the most detailed and nuanced account of the man, his politics and his profound influence on Russian politics, foreign policy and society. New to this edition: - analysis of Putin's second term as President - more biographical information in the light of recent research - detailed discussion of changes to the policy process and the élites around Putin - developments in state-society relations including the conflicts with oligarchs such as Khodorkovsky - review of changes affecting the party system and electoral legislation, including the development of federalism in Russia - details on economic performance under Putin, including more discussion of the energy sector and pipeline politics - Russia's relationship with NATO after the 'big bang' enlargement, EU-Russian relations after enlargement, and Russia's relations with other post-Soviet states - the conclusion brings us up-to-date with debates over the question of democracy in Russia today and the nature of Putin's leadership and his place in the world. Putin is essential reading for all scholars and students of Russian politics.

Richard Sakwa is Professor of Politics at the University of Kent, UK.

Part 1: The Path to Power 1. The Unlikely Making of a Leader 2. The Succession Operation Part 2: Russia at the Turn of the Millenium 1. Who is Mr Putin? 2. The Nature of the System 3. The Ideas Behind the Choice 4. Planning for the Future 5. The State of the Nation 6. The Politics of 'Normalisation' Part 3: The Putin Way 1. Building the Putin Bloc 2. Putin and the People 3. Leadership Style 4. Putin's Path: Towards a Russian 'Third Way'? Part 4: State and Society 1. State and Regime 2. State Strengthening as Politics or Law 3. The 'Liquidation of the Oligarchs as a Class' 4. Freedom of Speech and the Media 5. Judicial Reform and Human Rights Part 5: Restructuring the Political Space 1. Changes to the Party System 2. Changes to Electoral Legislation 3. Parliamentary Realignment 4. Regime and Opposition 5. Democracy and Civil Society Part 6: Putin and the Regions 1. Segmented Regionalism 2. Segmented Regionalism and State Reconstitution 3. Establishing the Presidential 'Vertical' 4. Reorganising Federal Relations 5. Regional Governors and Legislatures 6. State Reconstitution and Federalism Part 7: Reforging the Nation 1. Images of the Nation and Symbols of the State 2. Social Aspects of National Identity 3. Chechnya: Tombstone or Crucible of Russian Power? Part 8: Russian Capitalism 1. Entering the Market 2. Models of Capitalism: Oligarchical Democracy? 3. State Economy and Society Part 9: Putin and the World 1. The Normalisation of Foreign Policy 2. Putin's Choice 3. Practising Normality Part 10: Conclusion 1. Out of the Wilderness? 2. Putin and the Power of Contradiction