Бакалавриат
2025/2026
Политика и общество в странах постсоветского пространства
Статус:
Курс по выбору (Политология и мировая политика)
Где читается:
Санкт-Петербургская школа социальных наук
Когда читается:
3-й курс, 1, 2 модуль
Охват аудитории:
для всех кампусов НИУ ВШЭ
Преподаватели:
Юзбекова Карина Шамильевна
Язык:
английский
Кредиты:
4
Контактные часы:
40
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The course is devoted to the analysis of the political and social development of the post-Soviet space and individual countries of this region from the point of view of the main sections of comparative politics - horizontal and vertical distribution of power, political regimes, party systems and electoral institutions, as well as models of interest groups participation in political process.
Learning Objectives
- The course aims at forming a coherent knowledge of the recent political developments in the post-Soviet states through the lens of various conceptual and theoretical approaches.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- evaluates arguments, presents ideas and defends a theoretical position in relation to the topics covered
- explains political, economic and social developments in the post-Soviet states using concepts from political science theory
- shows understanding of the political systems and societies of the post-Soviet states and their relationships with Russia, the EU and China
Course Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Horizontal distribution of power in the post-Soviet countries
- 3. Vertical distribution of power in the post-Soviet countries
- 4. Political regimes in the post-Soviet countries
- 5. Political parties in the post-Soviet countries
- 6. Electoral institutions in the post-Soviet countries
- 7. Interest groups in the post-Soviet countries
- 8. Conclusions
Assessment Elements
- In-class activity
- Group projectDuring the course, students prepare a group project (4-5 people in each group) and present it at one of the seminars in a presentation format (20 minutes - speech, 10 minutes - discussion). The project should focus on the study of one or several countries of the post-Soviet space and how the politics, society, culture, etc. of that country/those countries are reflected in various sources (academic literature - both local and global, historical sources, media, cinema, etc.). Each group should present an analysis of several "images" of the chosen country(ies) and compare them, highlighting the main characteristics, similarities, and differences, and arguing how they can be justified.
- TestThe test will take place at the last seminar and will cover the material of the whole course. Students will have 60 minutes to complete the test. The test may feature different types of questions (multiple-choice, matching, fill-in-the-gaps and open-ended questions). The total sum of points will be converted into a grade according to the scale below.
- EssayEssays must be written in the format of an analysis of the political system of one of the countries of the post-Soviet space. The text should include the following sections: 1) horizontal separation of powers; 2) vertical separation of powers; 3) political system/regime; 4) party system; 5) electoral system; 6) interest groups. The student is expected to provide correct information regarding the institutional structure of the chosen country, as well as an analysis of the causes for the formation and consequences of the functioning of the relevant institutions. References to sources of factual data, as well as used academic and non-academic texts are required.
Interim Assessment
- 2025/2026 2nd module0.25 * Essay + 0.25 * Group project + 0.2 * In-class activity + 0.3 * Test
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Driscoll, J. R. (DE-588)1046906879, (DE-627)777297523, (DE-576)400219077, aut. (2015). Warlords and coalition politics in post-Soviet states Jesse Driscoll.
- Hale, H. E. . (DE-588)136496350, (DE-576)301049882. (2015). Patronal politics : Eurasian regime dynamics in comparative perspective / Henry E. Hale. New York, NY: Cambridge Univ. Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.419984909
- Krol, G. V. (DE-588)114759550X, (DE-627)1006346368, (DE-576)495886505, aut. (2021). Amending legislatures in authoritarian regimes power sharing in post-Soviet Eurasia Gerrit Krol.
- Lankina, T. V., & Libman, A. (2019). Soviet legacies of economic development, oligarchic rule, and electoral quality in Eastern Europe’s partial democracies: the case of Ukraine. LSE Research Online Documents on Economics.
- Linda J. Cook. (2007). Postcommunist Welfare States : Reform Politics in Russia and Eastern Europe. Cornell University Press.
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Allina-Pisano, J. (2008). The Post-Soviet Potemkin Village : Politics and Property Rights in the Black Earth. Cambridge University Press.
- Beissinger, M. R. (2013). The Semblance of Democratic Revolution: Coalitions in Ukraine’s Orange Revolution. American Political Science Review, 3, 574.
- Bolkvadze, K. V. (DE-588)1209890712, (DE-627)1697809537, aut. (2020). To reform or to retain? politicians’ incentives to clean up corrupt courts in hybrid regimes Ketevan Bolkvadze.
- Darden, K., & Grzymala-Busse, A. (2006). The Great Divide: Literacy, Nationalism, and the Communist Collapse. https://doi.org/10.1353/wp.2007.0015
- Lucan Way. (2015). Pluralism by Default : Weak Autocrats and the Rise of Competitive Politics. Johns Hopkins University Press.
- Rosenfeld, B. V. (DE-588)1150654570, (DE-627)1010843362, (DE-576)497147580, aut. (2021). State dependency and the limits of middle class support for democracy Bryn Rosenfeld.
- Scott B. Radnitz. (2010). Weapons of the Wealthy : Predatory Regimes and Elite-Led Protests in Central Asia. Cornell University Press.