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Roy Medvedev, one of the world's best-known Russian scholars and a former consultant to both Gorbachev and Yeltsin analyzes the main events that have transpired in the Russian federation since late August 1991. He looks at the plans that were meant to restructure a society in crisis but -- for reasons both complex and obvious -- were destined to fail. From the drastic liberalization of prices and "shock therapy" to the privatization of state owned property and Yeltsin's resignation and replacement by Vladimir Putin, this is an intricately fascinating saga of good intentions, philosophical warfare, and catastrophic miscalculations. Among the many compelling facts detailed here are Yeltsin's utter surprise -- and lack of preparation -- at the failed coup against Gorbachev in 1991, when power fell virtually into his lap; his failure to heed the warnings of learned advisers like Yuri Yaremenko, who knew that Western economics could not be applied to Russia; and Yeltsin's dramatic (and unprecedented) decree in 1992 allowing anyone to sell or buy anything they wished.In a sweeping conclusion covering the critical events of 1998 and 1999 as well as a detailed analysis of the 1995 and 1996 elections, Medvedev lays forth an exhaustive survey of recent political shifts, attitudes, statistics, and trends. From birth and death rates on the farm and in the city through a number of highly charged campaigns and elections to the new goal of the Communist Youth League (to become millionaires), this is a breathtakingly detailed survey of an unforgettable chapter in Russia's history.
E-Book Content
POST- SOVIET RUSSIA
ROY MEDVEDEV
A JOURNEY THROUGH THE YELTSIN ERA
TRANSLATED AND EDITED BY GEORGE SHRIVER
Post-Soviet Russia
POST-SOVIET RUSSIA A Journey Through the Yeltsin Era
Roy Medvedev Translated and Edited by George Shriver
C
Columbia University Press
New York
Columbia University Press Publishers Since 1893 New York Chichester, West Sussex Copyright © 2000 Columbia University Press All rights reserved Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Medvedev, Roy Aleksandrovich, 1925– Post-Soviet Russia : a journey through the Yeltsin era / Roy Medvedev ; translated by George Shriver. p.cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0–231–10606–8 (cloth : alk. paper) ISBN 0–231–10607–6 (pbk : alk. paper) 1. Russia (Federation—Economic policy—1991–. 2. Russia (Federation)—Economic conditions—1991–. 3. Capitalism—Russia (Federation). I. Title. HC340.12.M429 2000 338.947'009'049—dc21 00–040443
Casebound editions of Columbia University Press books are printed on permanent and durable acid-free paper. Printed in the United States of America Designed by Audrey Smith c 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 p 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Contents
Translator’s Note vii Introduction 1 PART 1
MYTHS AND REALITIES OF C APITALISM IN RUSSIA 1. A Capitalist Perestroika: First Steps, 1992–1993 9 2. Obstacles to Capitalist Development in Russia 46 3. Privatization, Government Crisis, and Elections (1993) 86 4. The End of Market Romanticism 136 5. Russia’s New Class 169 PART 2
THE ELECTIONS OF 1995–96 AND THEIR AFTERMATH 6. Duma Elections, December 1995 203 7. Gennady Zyuganov as Politician and Ideologist 8. The Inevitability of Change 264
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Contents PART 3
1998: A YEAR OF UPHEAVAL 9. “War on the Rails” 279 10. Financial Collapse and Another Change of Government POSTSCRIPT
YELTSIN’S LAST YEAR 11. Why the Dismissal of Primakov? 343 12. The Dismissal of Stepashin 349 13. Who is Putin? 351 14. The Second Chechnya War 356 15. The December 1999 Elections 358 16. A Change Without a Coup or Revolution 360 Index
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Translator’s Note
Much of this translation derives