ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on the two largest, most populous and least democratic of the BRICS, Russia and China, to examine the impact of economic inequality on their political trajectories. It addresses different aspects of the relationship and considers different methodological approaches. The book also addresses a single core question: to what extent does inequality pose a challenge to the existing political systems? It shows that while there is a tendency towards the convergence of political regimes in the two countries, there are different patterns of legitimacy based as much on culture as on economic achievements. In both countries, the ruling elites rely mainly on culture in order to strengthen their political monopoly. The book describes the impact of economic development on public support for democracy.
