After the Deluge: Regional Crises and Political Consolidation in Russia

After the Deluge examines the complex dynamics between Russia's central government and its regions during the turbulent period following the Soviet Union's collapse. The book focuses on the years 1990-2001, when Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin grappled with separatist movements and regional power struggles. Treisman analyzes specific cases of center-periphery conflict across Russia's diverse territories, from Tatarstan to Primorsky Krai. His research draws on extensive data, interviews with key figures, and previously unavailable government documents to reconstruct the negotiation processes between Moscow and regional leaders. The narrative traces how Russia's federal system evolved through cycles of decentralization and recentralization, revealing the strategies used by both central and regional authorities. Economic factors, ethnic politics, and personal relationships between leaders emerge as critical elements that shaped these power dynamics. This work provides insights into the foundations of Russia's current political structure and raises broader questions about how federal systems maintain stability in times of crisis. The patterns identified by Treisman continue to influence Russia's governance and center-region relations today.

Readers note this academic work provides a detailed analysis of Russia's center-regional politics in the 1990s. The research focuses on fiscal federalism and Moscow's relationship with regional governments. Readers appreciated: - Thorough data analysis and empirical evidence - Clear explanations of complex federal-regional dynamics - Balanced perspective on Yeltsin's governance Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style - Some readers found the economic analysis sections too technical - Focus on 1990s makes it less relevant for understanding current Russian politics Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (14 ratings) Amazon: No ratings available A graduate student reviewer on Goodreads noted it was "invaluable for understanding the evolution of Russian federalism" while another reader mentioned it was "more suited for academic research than casual reading." Note: Limited public reviews available online as this is a specialized academic text primarily used in university settings.

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🔹 The book examines how Boris Yeltsin managed to hold Russia together in the 1990s despite predictions of the country's imminent collapse, focusing on the complex bargaining between Moscow and regional leaders. 🔹 Author Daniel Treisman was one of the youngest full professors at UCLA's Department of Political Science and has served as a consultant for the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. 🔹 The title "After the Deluge" references both the collapse of the Soviet Union and the flood of decentralization that followed, which threatened to drown the new Russian state in chaos. 🔹 The research draws on extensive interviews with Russian officials and previously unpublished data on regional voting patterns, tax collection, and ethnic composition throughout Russia's 89 regions. 🔹 The book challenges the common view that Russia's survival was due to authoritarian control, instead arguing that it was achieved through sophisticated political and economic bargaining between central and regional authorities.