1st Edition

The International Politics of Eurasia: v. 9: The End of Empire? Comparative Perspectives on the Soviet Collapse

By S. Frederick Starr, Karen Dawisha Copyright 1997
    416 Pages
    by Routledge

    416 Pages
    by Routledge

    First Published in 1997. This book is the ninth in a series often volumes produced by the Russian Littoral Project, The project shares the conviction that the transformation of the former Soviet republics into independent states demands systematic analysis of the determinants of the domestic and foreign policies of the new countries. The series of volumes is intended to provide a basis for comprehensive scholarly study of these issues. This volume was shaped by the author’s view that future scholarship about the post Soviet world requires both specialized research and broad-gauge studies that carefully juxtapose the breakup of the Soviet empire with the transformation of other multinational empires.

    This book is designed to show readers how ethics can constrain improper behavior. To demonstrate the relationship of ethics to good government, the author presents high profile case studies that were selected for their notoriety and their ability to connect the reader to fundamental ethical questions. Themes of public interest, natural law, and rule of law provide a framework for the case studies, which include torture (Abu Ghraib), impeachment (Clinton), competence (FEMA), electoral violation (DeLay), and historical corruption (machine politics). The chapters discuss concepts that help to define responsible behavior in terms of behavior in elections, honesty and competence, and international law.

    Biography

    Karen Dawisha is professor and director of the Center for the Study of Post Communist Societies at the University of Maryland, College Park. Bruce Parrott is professor and director of Russian Area and East European Studies at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, where he has taught for twenty years.