ABSTRACT

Russia's transition to a market economy has been tortuous to say the least. However, this book argues that the arguments and counter-arguments that pitch shock therapy against gradualism are wide of the mark and quite pointless.
Indeed, the reasons for the warped outcomes can actually be traced back through the long sweep of Russian history. Decisions made in the distant past can fully influence policy- making in the present. Hedlund's thesis can, like this, be seen as influenced by the 'path dependency' theories of Paul David among others.

part I|20 pages

Introduction

chapter 1|18 pages

History matters

part II|50 pages

The setting

chapter 2|22 pages

Stationary bandits

chapter 3|26 pages

Successor states

part III|86 pages

The lock-in

chapter 4|28 pages

Lords of all Rus

chapter 5|24 pages

The only true Christians

chapter 6|32 pages

The patrimonial state

part IV|104 pages

The path dependence

chapter 7|31 pages

The apogee of patrimonialism

chapter 8|32 pages

Failures to break out

chapter 9|39 pages

Back to Muscovy

part V|71 pages

Breaking with the past?

chapter 10|21 pages

Another time of troubles

chapter 11|23 pages

Muscovy reconstituted

chapter 12|25 pages

Achieving credible commitment