Patronal politics : Eurasian regime dynamics in comparative perspective /

Since the disintegration of the Soviet Union, scholars and others have hoped for a transition from communist dictatorship to democracy. More than two decades later, the unavoidable conclusion is that these regimes have been "lost in transition," to use Lilia Shevtsova's characterization (Russia--Lost in Transition, CH, May'08, 45-5221). The challenge for Western analysts and policy makers has been to understand the reality rather than to deplore the failed transition. Hale (George Washington Univ.) makes a notable contribution, applying the concept of "patronal" politics to explain the political dynamics of Russia and 12 other post-Soviet countries. He defines patronal politics as systems based on individual pursuit of political and economic interests through personalized networks of individuals rather than through government institutions or ideologically defined political processes. Political machines organize power in pyramidal structures of authority. Hale applies his analysis through a comparative method of richly detailed and varied sets of cases ranging from Ukraine and Georgia to Abkhazia and Transnistria. He briefly examines patronal politics in Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East and concludes with a brief description of the policy implications of his study. Strongly recommended for students and researchers interested in post-Soviet politics. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. --Rita P. Peters, Univ. of Massachusetts at Boston and Harvard University Davis Center for Russian