The contributors here argue that Russia will never be able to create a viable democracy as long as authoritarian regimes are able to flourish in the regions. The main themes covered are democratization at the regional level, and the problems faced by the federal states in forging viable democratic institutions in what is now a highly asymmetrical Federation. A major strength of the book lies in its combination of thematic chapters with case studies of particular regions and republics. Electoral politics are also considered fully, before the book goes on to consider the whole issue of regional politics and democratization in five particular areas of Russia - Novgorod, the Komi Republic, Russia's Far East, Tatarstan and Bashkortostan.