Transitional Citizens

This book explores the newly empowered citizens of Russia as they navigate electoral choices in a post-dictatorial context, revealing the complexities behind their voting behavior and democratic engagement.

Transitional Citizens explores the experiences of newly empowered citizens in Russia as they navigate the complexities of a protodemocracy. The author, Timothy Colton, examines how these individuals, who were once subjects under a dictatorial regime, are now faced with choices at the ballot box that were unimaginable just a few years prior. Colton highlights the learning process that citizens undergo, relying on their peers and mass media to understand their electoral options, despite their initial unfamiliarity with democratic practices.

The stakes in post-Soviet elections are significant, as Russian politicians engage with pressing issues that differ greatly from those faced in the West. While Western politicians may debate minor adjustments to functioning systems, their Russian counterparts confront critical challenges such as dysfunctional institutions, individual freedoms, and the provision of basic necessities amid economic turmoil. The political landscape is often characterized by intense rhetoric and mutual demonization, which may suggest chaos. However, Colton argues that voting behavior in transitional Russia is surprisingly structured and patterned.

Colton's analysis reveals that post-Communist voting is influenced by a multitude of factors rather than a single dominant cause. Elements such as ethnicity, charismatic leadership, and financial motivations interact in intricate ways to shape electoral decisions. Transitional Citizens provides a thorough and nuanced understanding of the complexities of Russian politics and the democratic transition, making it a significant contribution to the field. As noted by Thomas F. Remington from Emory University, the study is executed with exemplary thoroughness and is poised to have a lasting impact on the study of Russian politics and democratic transitions.