An up-to-date introduction to the politics of one of the world's biggest countries, setting out the policies leading up to the post-Putin era.

Stephen White is Professor of International Politics at the University of Glasgow and Senior Research Associate at the University's School of Central and Eastern European Studies. He is the author of Russia's New Politics: The Management of a Postcommunist Society and the chief editor of The Journal of Communist Studies and Transition Politics.

Henry Hale is Associate Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at George Washington University. He is the author of Why Not Parties in Russia? Democracy, Federalism, and the State.

Richard Sakwa is Professor of Russian and European Politics at the University of Kent. He is the author of Putin: Russia's Choice.