The Politics of Inequality in Russia - Softcover

Remington, Thomas F.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1107422248 ISBN 13: 9781107422247

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2011

Synopsis

This book investigates the relationship between the character of political regimes in Russia's subnational regions and the structure of earnings and income. Based on extensive data from Russian official sources and surveys conducted by the World Bank, the book shows that income inequality is higher in more pluralistic regions. It argues that the relationship between firms and government differs between more democratic and more authoritarian regional regimes. In more democratic regions, business firms and government have more cooperative relations, restraining the power of government over business and encouraging business to invest more, pay more and report more of their wages. Average wages are higher in more democratic regions and poverty is lower, but wage and income inequality are also higher. The book argues that the rising inequality in postcommunist Russia reflects the inability of a weak state to carry out a redistributive social policy.

About this title

Review:

'Thomas Remington has written an ingenious book on the relationship between economic inequality and democracy, and produced what may be the best book on the political economy of Russia that we have.' Political Studies

Book Description:

Based on analysis of trends across Russia since communism collapsed, this book explains why the most nondemocratic regions have the lowest incomes, the lowest inequality and the highest poverty, while more democratic regions have lower poverty and higher incomes and inequality.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1107422248
• ISBN 13: 9781107422247
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 234