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E-book
Author Frear, Matthew

Title Belarus under Lukashenka : Adaptive Authoritarianism
Published Florence : Routledge, 2018

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Description 1 online resource (203 pages)
Series BASEES/Routledge Series on Russian and East European Studies
BASEES/Routledge series on Russian and East European studies
Contents Cover; Half Title; Title Page; Copyright Page; Table of Contents; Acknowledgements; Abbreviations; 1. Introduction; Why Belarus? The research context; From Polatsk to Perestroika; From Soviet socialist republic to sovereign state; Outline of the book; Notes; 2. Adaptive authoritarianism: A conceptual framework; Classifying non-democratic regimes; Legitimizing non-democratic rule; Implementing non-democratic rule; Challenging non-democratic regimes; Conclusion; Notes; 3. Personalization of power under Lukashenka: Institutions; The constitution before Lukashenka
Parliament and the legislative functionsGovernment and the executive functions; Constitutional court and the judiciary; Local government; National economy; Conclusion; Notes; 4. Personalization of power under Lukashenka: Elites; Co-opting the post-Soviet elites; Reliable old associates; New faces and factions; The benefits of patron-client relations; Conclusion; Notes; 5. Ruling Belarus: Public consent and policy adaptation; Appealing to Lukashenka's traditional support base; Adaptive government policies; Conclusion; Notes; 6. Ruling Belarus: State coercion and pre-empting democracy
Persecution of opponentsPre-emptive authoritarianism; Conclusion; Notes; 7. Challenging adaptive authoritarianism: Players; Categorizing opposition to non-democratic rule; Political opposition in Belarus; Civic opposition in Belarus; Opposition alliances and coalitions; Conclusion; Notes; 8. Challenging adaptive authoritarianism: Tactics; Internal divisions; Rejecting legitimacy and parallel political bodies; Participation under electoral authoritarianism; Contentious politics under Lukashenka; Conclusion; Notes; 9 Conclusion; Appendix A: Economic indicators under Lukashenka
Appendix B: Official presidential election resultsAppendix C: Official House of Representatives election results; Bibliography; Index
Summary This book explores the nature of the regime of Aliaksandr Lukashenka, who has ruled Belarus since 1994, and who is often characterized as "the last dictator in Europe". It discusses how Lukashenka came to power, providing a survey of politics in Belarus in early post-Soviet times, examines how power became personalized under his regime, and considers how he coerced opponents, whilst maintaining good popular support. The book discusses all aspects of politics, including presidential power, the ruling elites, elections, the opposition, and civil society. The author characterizes Lukashenka's rule as "adaptive authoritarianism", and demonstrates how the regime's avoidance of any ideology, even nationalism, permits great freedom of manoeuvre, enabling pragmatic adaptation to changing circumstances
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index
Notes Print version record
Subject Authoritarianism -- Belarus
Authoritarianism.
Politics and government
Authoritarianism
Authoritarianism
Politics and government
SUBJECT Belarus -- Politics and government -- 1991- http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh92006578
Subject Belarus
Form Electronic book
ISBN 9781135008413
1135008418
9781135008406
113500840X
9781135008390
1135008396
9780203737910
0203737911