In the period leading up to Vladimir Putin's decisive victory in the first round of Russia's presidential election, individual personalities and not democratic institutions once more became the focus of analysis. This debate, reminiscent of Soviet era Kremlinology, neatly serves the purpose of those who argue that Russia has been lost because of inept policy initiatives. However, it obscures both the successes of US democracy assistance and the real problems that remain in constructing a new democratic political system in Russia. […]
Memo #:
139
Series:
1
PDF:
PDF URL:
http://www.gwu.edu/~ieresgwu/assets/docs/ponars/pm_0139.pdf
