How Different is Russia? the Comparative Context

Abstract

This chapter looks at the Russian example in a comparative context, in particular addressing the question of how countries immediately to the west (other postcommunist countries, especially Ukraine and Belarus) and to the east (in particular China) have dealt with (de)industrialization and labor protest. In Ukraine, deindustrialization coincided with even greater economic decline, resulting in protest and revolution. In Belarus, deindustrialization and mass privatization were largely avoided, but economic grievances, combined with a dictator clinging to office, led workers to deploy their symbolic power in an attempt to bring down that dictator. In contrast, massive deindustrialization in China led to widespread protest with little sign of political instability, occurring as it did alongside almost unprecedented levels of economic growth and the creation of entirely new cities. For Russia's leaders, the Chinese case appears as an unrealizable dream, while the Ukrainian and Belarusian scenarios represent their nightmare.