This work traces Russia's complex historical development in the last century, as well as its recent political troubles and economic misfortunes, and its place in the contemporary international system. Providing up-to-date information on Russian political developments, including the elections of 1999 and 2000, Robinson assesses the chances of future projects of political and economic reconstruction.

List of tables, Chronology, Preface and acknowledgements, 1. Introduction: strong states, weak states and the Russian problem 2. The limits of despotism: Tasarism and Soviet Socialism 3. Russian politics under Boris Yeltsin: democratic hopes versus political fragmentation 4. From planned economy to 'virtual economy': the failure of economic transformation