Russia Without Putin : Money, Power and the Myths of the New Cold War

How the West’s obsession with Vladimir Putin prevents it from understanding Russia It is impossible to think of Russia today without thinking of Vladimir Putin. More than any other major national leader, he personifies his country in the eyes of the world, and dominates Western media coverage. In Russia itself, he is likewise the centre of attention both for his supporters and his detractors. But, as Tony Wood argues, this focus on Russia’s president gets in the way of any real understanding of the country. The West needs to shake off its obsession with Putin and look beyond the Kremlin walls. In this timely and provocative analysis, Wood explores the profound changes Russia has undergone since 1991. In the process, he challenges several common assumptions made about contemporary Russia. Against the idea that Putin represents a return to Soviet authoritarianism, Wood argues that his rule should be seen as a continuation of Yeltsin’s in the 1990s. The core features of Putinism—a predatory elite presiding over a vastly unequal society—are in fact integral to the system set in place after the fall of Communism. Wood also overturns the standard view of Russia’s foreign policy, identifying the fundamental loss of power and influence that has underpinned recent clashes with the West. Russia without Putin concludes by assessing the current regime’s prospects, and looks ahead to what the future may hold for the country. How The West's Obsession With Vladimir Putin Prevents It From Understanding Russia: It Is Impossible To Think Of Russia Today Without Considering Vladimir Putin. More Than Any Other Major National Leader, He Personifies His Country In The Eyes Of The Outside World And Dominates Western Media Coverage Of Russia To An Extraordinary Extent. In Russia Itself, He Is Likewise The Center Of Attention For Detractors And Supporters Alike. But As Tony Wood Argues, This Overwhelming Focus On The President And His Personality Means That We Understand Russia Less Than We Ever Did Before. Too Much Attention Is Paid To The Man, And Not Enough To The Country Outside The Kremlin's Walls. In This Timely And Provocative Analysis, Wood Looks Beyond Putin To Explore The Profound Changes Russia Has Undergone Since 1991. In The Process, He Challenges Many Of The Common Assumptions Made About Contemporary Russia. Though Commonly Viewed As An Ominous Return To Soviet Authoritarianism, Putin's Rule Should Instead Be Seen As A Direct Continuation Of Yeltsin's In The 1990s. And Though Many Of Russia's Problems Today Are Blamed On Legacies Of The Soviet Past, Wood Argues That The Core Features Of Putinism--a Predatory, Authoritarian Elite Presiding Over A Vastly Unequal Society--are Integral To The System Set In Place After The Fall Of Communism. What Kind Of Country Has Emerged From Russia's Post-soviet Transformations, And Where Might It Go In Future? Russia Without Putin Culminates In An Arresting Analysis Of The Country's Foreign Policy--identifying The Real Power Dynamics Behind Its Escalating Clashes With The West--and Reflect On The Paths Russia Might Take In The Twenty-first Century-- The Man And The System -- Faces Of Power -- Red Bequests -- An Opposition Divided -- After The Maidan -- Russia In The World. Tony Wood. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "How the West's obsession with Vladimir Putin prevents it from understanding Russia: It is impossible to think of Russia today without considering Vladimir Putin. More than any other major national leader, he personifies his country in the eyes of the outside world and dominates Western media coverage of Russia to an extraordinary extent. In Russia itself, he is likewise the center of attention for detractors and supporters alike. But as Tony Wood argues, this overwhelming focus on the president and his personality means that we understand Russia less than we ever did before. Too much attention is paid to the man, and not enough to the country outside the Kremlin's walls. In this timely and provocative analysis, Wood looks beyond Putin to explore the profound changes Russia has undergone since 1991. In the process, he challenges many of the common assumptions made about contemporary Russia. Though commonly viewed as an ominous return to Soviet authoritarianism, Putin's rule should instead be seen as a direct continuation of Yeltsin's in the 1990s. And though many of Russia's problems today are blamed on legacies of the Soviet past, Wood argues that the core features of Putinism--a predatory, authoritarian elite presiding over a vastly unequal society--are integral to the system set in place after the fall of Communism. What kind of country has emerged from Russia's post-Soviet transformations, and where might it go in future? Russia without Putin culminates in an arresting analysis of the country's foreign policy--identifying the real power dynamics behind its escalating clashes with the West--and reflect on the paths Russia might take in the twenty-first century"-- Provided by publisher "How the West's obsession with Vladimir Putin prevents it from understanding Russia: It is impossible to think of Russia today without considering Vladimir Putin. More than any other major national leader, he personifies his country in the eyes of the outside world and dominates Western media coverage of Russia to an extraordinary extent. In Russia itself, he is likewise the center of attention for detractors and supporters alike. But as Tony Wood argues, this overwhelming focus on the president and his personality means that we understand Russia less than we ever did before. Too much attention is paid to the man, and not enough to the country outside the Kremlin's walls. In this timely and provocative analysis, Wood looks beyond Putin to explore the profound changes Russia has undergone since 1991. In the process, he challenges many of the common assumptions made about contemporary Russia. Though commonly viewed as an ominous return to Soviet authoritarianism, Putin's rule should instead be seen as a direct continuation of Yeltsin's in the 1990s. And though many of Russia's problems today are blamed on legacies of the Soviet past, Wood argues that the core features of Putinism ... a predatory, authoritarian elite presiding over a vastly unequal society ... are integral to the system set in place after the fall of Communism. What kind of country has emerged from Russia's post-Soviet transformations, and where might it go in future? Russia without Putin culminates in an arresting analysis of the country's foreign policy ... identifying the real power dynamics behind its escalating clashes with the West ... and reflect on the paths Russia might take in the twenty-first century" .. It is impossible to think of Russia today without thinking of Vladimir Putin. More than any other major national leader, he personifies his country in the eyes of the outside world, and dominates Western media coverage. In Russia itself, he is likewise the centre of attention for detractors and supporters alike. But as Tony Wood argues, in order to understand Russia today, the West needs to shake off its obsession with Putin and look at what lies beyond the Kremlin, to see Russia without Putin.In this timely and provocative analysis, Wood looks beyond Putin to explore the profound changes Russia has undergone since 1991. He shows that Russia is not strong but desperately trying to create a space for itself in an increasingly globalized and competitive world, Putin's reign is based on very thin ice; he is highly dependent on a small handful of powerful men who prop him up. Beyond the rich suburbs of Moscow, Russia is a country that is only surviving because of what remains of the soviet economy and culture rather than being held back by it.Wood reconsiders what kind of country has emerged from Russia's post-Soviet transformations. The introduction of the market in the 1990s was a failure than descended into kleptocracy. He shows that the revival of a new cold war is a myth. Russia's incursions into Syria, Ukraine and questions of collusion into western states are a sign of desperation rather than agression. Russia without Putin culminates with reflections on the paths Russia might take in the 21st century following Putin's re-election in March 2018. How will he placate the oligarchs who control the economy and how will he manage his succession, and protect his legacy? How the West's obsession with Vladimir Putin prevents it from understanding Russia. It is impossible to think of Russia today without thinking of Vladimir Putin. More than any other major national leader, he personifies his country in the eyes of the outside world and dominates Western media coverage of it to an extraordinary extent. In Russia itself, he is likewise the center of attention for detractors and supporters alike. But as Tony Wood argues, this overwhelming focus on the president and his personality means that we understand Russia less than we ever did before. Too much attention is paid to the man, and not enough to the country outside the Kremlin's walls. In this timely and provocative analysis, Wood looks beyond Putin to explore the profound changes Russia has undergone since 1991. In the process, he challenges many of the common assumptions made about contemporary Russia. Though commonly viewed as an ominous return to Soviet authoritarianism, Putin's rule should instead be seen as a direct continuation of Yeltsin's in the 1990s. And though many of Russia's problems today are blamed on legacies of the Soviet past, Wood argues that the core features of Putinism--a predatory, authoritarian elite presiding over a vastly unequal society--are integral to the system set in place after the fall of Communism. What kind of country has emerged from Russia's post-Soviet transformations, and where might it go in future? Russia Without Putin culminates in an arresting analysis of the country's foreign policy--identifying the real power dynamics behind its escalating clashes with the West--and with reflections on the paths Russia might take in the 21st century.