The Russian Parliament; Institutional Evolution in a Transitional Regime, 1989-1999

by Thomas F. Remington

• ISBN13: 9780300084986
• ISBN10: 0300084986
• Format: Trade Book
• Copyright: 2001-05-11
• Publisher: Yale University Press

Summary

From the first free elections in post-Soviet Russia in 1989 to the end of the Yeltsin period in 1999, Russia's parliament was the site of great political upheavals. Conflicts between communists and reformers generated constant turmoil, and twice parliamentary institutions broke down in violence. This book offers the first full account of the inaugural decade of Russia's parliament. Thomas F. Remington, a leading scholar of Russian politics, describes in unique detail the Gorbachev-era parliament of 1989-91, the interim parliament of 1990-93, and the current Federal Assembly.

Focusing particularly on the emergence of parliamentary parties and bicameralism, Remington explores how the organization of the Russian parliament changed, why some changes failed while others were accepted, and why the current parliament is more effective and viable than its predecessors. He links the story of parliamentary evolution in Russia to contemporary theories of institutional development and concludes that, notwithstanding the turbulence of Russia's first postcommunist decade,

Author Biography

Thomas F. Remington is Claus M. Halle Distinguished Professor for Global Learning and professor of political science at Emory University.

Table of Contents

List of Tables and Figures	vii
Preface	ix
Political Representation and Parliamentary Power	1	(19)
Gorbachev's Constitutional Reforms	20	(27)
Organizing the New USSR Parliament	47	(37)
The Power Game in Russia, 1990-1993	84	(30)
Deputies and Lawmaking in the RSFSR Supreme Soviet	114	(36)
Framing a New Constitution	150	(26)
Organizing the Federal Assembly	176	(56)
Does Parliament Matter?	232	(13)
Notes	245	(32)
Index	277