Building Democracy in Contemporary Russia

Rezensionen / Stimmen

Since 1992, the U.S. government and U.S. foundations have spent tens of millions of dollars promoting nongovernmental organizations in Russia, in hopes of jump-starting a viable civil society. But has it worked? Henderson answers yes and no.... Henderson contributes a unique angle by comparing the performance of foreign-funded NGOs with those that survive on their own.

(Foreign Affairs) Anyone interested in the development of civil society in Russia or other postcommunist states would do well to read Sarah Henderson's engaging, informative, and accessible book.... The findings presented in Building Democracy in Contemporary Russia and the questions that this work invites are of central importance to our understanding of democratization, civil society, development assistance, and women's mobilization.

- Linda Racioppi, Michigan State University (Slavic Review) Building democracy in countries emerging from totalitarian rule has been a learning process not only for the people of those countries but also for Westerners trying to assist them. In Building Democracy in Contemporary Russia, Sarah Henderson deals with Western efforts to promote democracy in postcommunist Russia, offering an indepth look at one sector in which such efforts have been focused.... Anyone concerned about foreign assistance will find it a thoughtful and useful work. One hopes particularly that it will be read and pondered by members of the Western donor community.

- Gifford D. Malone (Perspectives on Political Science) Sarah Henderson has written a fascinating account of Western intervention in Russia to facilitate creation of a functioning civil society.... Henderson's analysis... is provocative and insightful.

- Joyce Gelb, The City University of New York (Political Science Quarterly)