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School of Politics and International Relations

POL305 Contemporary Russian Politics - Independent Research

POL305 Contemporary Russian Politics - Independent Research (POL305A – Spring) 

Credits: 15
Semester: B

Module Convenor: Dr Ksenia Northmore-Ball
Overlap: None
Prerequisite: POL382

Description: This module focuses on understanding competitive authoritarianism in Russia today, and how the Russian case fits in a global theoretic perspective. Electoral authoritarianism has become the most common non-democratic regime type since the end of the Cold War, and Russia is considered one of the key illustrative cases. Using the Russian case we will examine firstly why authoritarian leaders choose to hold elections, and secondly how authoritarian rulers retain power and popularity in a semi- competitive environment through the use of institutions such as "dominant parties," election subversion, and information manipulation.

Connected course(s): Compulsory for: None
Assessment: Presentation – 15 minutes (20%) and Essay – 2500 words (80%)
Level: 6

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