Russian Pluralism -- Now Irreversible?

The dissolution of the USSR marked also the end of the Communist party monopoly. However, its replacement by a working democracy is not assured. First a "civil society," built upon a pluralistic infrastructure, has to be established. This requires the achievement of a "law-based state," pluralism in the political arena, unshackled media, and freedom of religion.

The distinguished experts in these fields, brought together in this book, question whether such an infrastructure is firm enough as yet to preclude reversion to an authoritarian system. Current development in Russia will have an incalculable impact on the international system. Russian Pluralism -- Now Irreversible? offers a lucid, stimulating assessment of the current experiment's chances for success.

Table of Contents

Pluralism and Democratization
Uri Ra'anan

Part I: Political Pluralism
Toward a Multiparty System?
Vera Tolz
The Legislative Process--Institutionalized?
Robert T. Huber
Civil Authority and the Security Organs
J. Michael Waller

Part II: Law and Security
Toward a Law-Abiding State?
Nina Belyaeva
Individual and Group Rights
Yelena Bonner
Human Rights: Established or Precarious?
Richard Schifter

Part III: Pluralism in the Media
The "Independent Media"
Nicholas Daniloff
Press Freedom: New Dangers
Vitaly Korotich
The Impact of Foreign Broadcasts
Savik Shuster

Part IV: The Role of Religion
The Orthodox Church and a Pluralistic Society
Kent R. Hill
Growing Protestant Diversity in the Former Soviet Union
Mark Elliott and Robert Richardson