Elections, Protest, and Authoritarian Regime Stability: Russia 20082020 [Hardcover]

This comprehensive study of Russian electoral politics shows the vulnerability of Putin's regime as it navigates the risks of voter manipulation.Despite Putin's popularity, his regime must constantly develop new strategies to win elections, weighing the potential that fraud and repression will lead to social mobilization. This in-depth study reveals the changing potential for protest and regime change in Russia and other electoral authoritarian states.Despite Putin's popularity, his regime must constantly develop new strategies to win elections, weighing the potential that fraud and repression will lead to social mobilization. This in-depth study reveals the changing potential for protest and regime change in Russia and other electoral authoritarian states.In a path-breaking study of Russian elections, Regina Smyth reveals how much electoral competition matters to the Putin regime and how competition leaves Russia more vulnerable to opposition challenges than is perceived in the West. Using original data and analysis, Smyth demonstrates how even weak political opposition can force autocratic incumbents to rethink strategy and find compromises in order to win elections. Smyth challenges conventional notions about Putin's regime, highlighting? the vast resources the Kremlin expends to maintain a permanent campaign to construct regime-friendly majorities. These tactics include disinformation as well as symbolic politics, social benefits, repression, and falsification. This book reveals the stresses and challenges of maintaining an electoral authoritarian regime and provides a roadmap to understand how seemingly stable authoritarian systems can fall quickly to popular challenges even when the opposition is weak. A must-read for understanding Russia's future and the role of elections in contemporary autocratic regimes.1. Elections, Protest, and Hybrid Regime Dynamics; 2. Winning Hybrid Elections: Organized Opposition, Incumbent Regimes, and The Threat of Popular EngagemelCo