Post-Soviet Civil Society: Democratization In Russia And The

Description:
The development of civil society has varied greatly across the former Soviet Union. The Baltic states have achieved a high level of integration with the West and European Union membership, while some regions in Russia lag far behind. Now for the first time there is a comparative study of civil society and democratization across post-Soviet national borders. Acknowledging the enormous variation throughout the region, the book offers unique data on developments in Russia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.Applying an innovative analytical framework derived from theories of democratization, civil society, social movements and transnational relations, the researchers have formulated broader comparisons and generalisations without neglecting the specific post-Soviet context. The book provides a systematic comparison across sectors as well as nations, and includes chapters on NGOs, the state and conflict, and transnationalisation. Quantitative survey data is combined with qualitative interviews and case study research to both confirm previous findings about the weakness of post-communist civil society and to qualify previous research.

Table of Contents:
Contents Figures and Tables Acknowledgements Abbreviations 1 Introduction Previous Research on Post-Soviet Civil Society The Research Problem Research Design Outline of the Book 2 Democratization and Civil Society: A Framework for Analysis Democracy and Democratization Civil Society Civil Society and Democracy Conclusion 3 Civil Society and the Fall of Communist Rule Civil Society before and under Communism? The Emergence of Civil Society in Russia under Gorbachev Independence Movements in the Baltic Republics The Establishment of Civil Society Groups in the USSR: Further Empirical Indicators Conclusion 4 Actors and Activities in Post-Soviet Civil Society The 'NGOization' of Civil Society in Post-Communist Russia and the Baltic States Civil Society Sectors Civil Society Activists Resource Mobilization Civil Society Activities Civil Society in Three Russian Regions Conclusion 5 Civil Society, the State, and Other Arenas: Conflict, Cooperation, and Unclear Boundaries Civil Society and the State in Russia Political Opportunities and Political Influence State-Civil Society Relations in Three Russian Regions Civil Society and Political Society Civil Society and Economic Society Conclusion 6 The Transnationalization of Local Civil Society Transnational Funding Transnational Networking Conclusion 7 Civil Society and Democratization: A Multilevel Analysis The Development of Post-Soviet Civil Society Qualitative and Quantitative Indicators of Democracy Civil Society and Democratization Three Models of Civil Society and Democracy Conclusion Notes References Index