Modernisation in Russia since 1900

Kangaspuro, Markku; Smith, Jeremy
Title: Modernisation in Russia since 1900
Authors: Kangaspuro, Markku (Editor)
Smith, Jeremy (Editor)
Product number: 9789517468541
Product form: Paperback
Availability: Delivery in 7-14 workdays
Price: 45,00 € (40,91 € vat 0 %)

Publ. product code: 1338421
Publisher: Suomalaisen Kirjallisuuden Seura
Series: Studia Fennica. Historica 12
Edition: 2006
Publication year: 2006
Language: English
Pages: 331
Product family: History
Studia Fennica Historica
Books in English
Finnish library classification: 97.1 Venäjän ja Neuvostoliiton historia
YSO - General Finnish ontology: modernisaatio, yhteiskunnallinen muutos, bolševismi, sosialismi, postkommunismi, siirtymätalous, historia
Key words: societal change, modernisation, bolshevism, Socialism, postcommunism
Modernisation has been a constant theme in Russian history at least since Peter the Great launched a series of initiatives aimed at closing the economic, technical and cultural gap between Russia and the more 'advanced' countries of Europe. All of the leaders of the Soviet Union and post-Soviet Russia have been intensely aware of this gap, and have pursued a number of strategies, some more successful than others, in order to modernise the country. But it would be wrong to view modernisation as a unilinear process which was the exclusive preserve of the state. Modernisation has had profound effects on Russian society, and the attitudes of different social groups have been crucial to the success and failure of modernisation.

This volume examines the broad theme of modernisation in late imperial, Soviet, and post-Soviet Russia both through general overviews of particular topics, and specific case studies of modernisation projects and their impact. Modernisation is seen not just as an economic policy, but as a cultural and social phenomenon reflected through such diverse themes as ideology, welfare, education, gender relations, transport, political reform, and the Internet. The result is the most up to date and comprehensive survey of modernisation in Russia available, which highlights both one of the perennial problems and the challenges and prospects for contemporary Russia.