Civil Society and the Process of Democratization in Post-Soviet Russia

Contents: Preface. Introduction. 1. Civil Society Before and Under Communism. 2. Civil Society Initiatives in Novgorod, Kaliningrade, Pskov and St. Petersburg Region. 3. The Role of Religion, Higher Education and Press in Post-Soviet Russia. 4. Women in Post Soviet Russia. 5. Civil Society in Transitional Period. Conclusion and Recommendations. Bibliography. Civil Society Initiatives in the Process of Democratization in Post- Soviet Russia is a study of those initial years when new Russia adopted democratic form of government. After collapse of communist Soviet Russia, everyone from a common citizen to government official, from media to academicians, all were in dilemma about the faith and future of democratic Russia. This was transition period for Post Soviet Russia. In this process of democratization, the small move of civil society activities started giving new medium to the Russian people. A civil society functioning in a Russia is not vibrant and effective today in comparison to Western and Asian democratic countries. Nevertheless the initiatives were taking place in Russia. Though it is taking small baby steps now, one can see that it will make a giant move in coming years. This book is about the initiatives of civil society, its functioning and its small achievements, struggle of civil societies to establish as organizations or help group.…