How to Become a Communist
The Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) is generally acknowledged as being the successor of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU), which…
Read MoreArticles by Josh Wilson
Josh has been with SRAS since 2003. He holds an M.A. in Theatre and a B.A. in History from Idaho State University, where his masters thesis was written on the political economy of Soviet-era censorship organs affecting the stage. He lived in Moscow from 2003-2022, where he ran Moscow operations for SRAS. At SRAS, Josh still assists in program development and leads our internship programs. He is also the editor-in-chief for the SRAS newsletter, the SRAS Family of Sites, and Vestnik. He has previously served as Communications Director to Bellerage Alinga and has served as a consultant or translator to several businesses and organizations with interests in Russia.
Parnas: The People’s Freedom Party
The People’s Freedom Party, also known as “Parnas,” was founded on September 16, 2010. It is a coalition of four organizations: Russian People’s Democratic Union;…
Tatarstan: Semiautonomous and Thriving
Tatarstan is a semiautonomous republic within Russia, located about 500 miles east of Moscow. Roughly the size of West Virginia, but with nearly twice the…
Nashi: Russian Youth Movement
Nashi is by far Russia’s best-known political youth movement. Founded in 2005 shortly after the Orange Revolution in Ukraine, the group is against “those who…
Declaration Of The Formation Of The All-Russia People’s Front
Vladimir Putin announced the creation of an “All-Russia People’s Front” at a regional congress of the United Russia party in Volgograd on Friday, May 6,…
Vestnik – Issue 9, Spring 2011
Vestnik was launched by SRAS in 2004 as one of the world’s first online academic journals focused on showcasing student research. We welcome and invite…
United Russia: Election Program, 2011
The following is the pre-election program published by United Russia in preparation for the 2011 Duma elections. While most political parties use the term “Political…
Vestnik – Issue 8, Winter 2010
Vestnik was launched by SRAS in 2004 as one of the world’s first online academic journals focused on showcasing student research. We welcome and invite…
Volgograd: History and Myth
A solemn but reverent air of respect hangs over Volgograd. Long a small military garrison, then a rapidly growing center of commerce and transport, Volgograd…
United Russia: Ruling Party (Part III)
(Continued from Part II) United Russia came under fire after the October 2009 regional elections. Despite the sluggish economy and an uptick in public protests…
United Russia: Ruling Party (Part II)
(Continued from Part I) After this, many independents flocked to join the party over the next year, despite Unity having no concrete policy agenda besides…
United Russia: Ruling Party
United Russia was founded in December 2001 primarily as a vehicle to support Vladimir Putin, who had assumed the presidency of Russia after Boris Yeltsin’s…
Right Cause, Wrong Path?
Established in November of 2008, Right Cause (Правое Дело) is one of Russia’s youngest political parties. Right Cause formed from a merger of three smaller…
The Chinese in Russia’s Far East: A Clash of Civilizations in Vladivostok
As an American of Chinese descent, I’ve always had an interest in China. In 2008, I lived in Beijing, China studying Mandarin Chinese and business….
Road Map to Solidarity: Part II
Continued from Part I. They have stated that their only criteria for membership or cooperation are opposition to Putin’s regime and the non-promotion of violence…
Road Map to Solidarity: Part I
The Russian liberal democratic organization Solidarity (Солидарность) was founded in December 2008 by a range of opposition activists. These included several members of the political…
Right Cause Searches for Right Path: Part IV
Part I Part II Part III Part IV «Капитализм для всех»: предсказуемая внешняя политика “Capitalism For All:” consistent foreign policy Современная страна, национальная экономика не…
Right Cause Searches for Right Path: Part III
Right Cause’s problems started early. Shortly after it was formed, Yevgeny Chichvarkin, the flamboyant young founder of Russia’s largest mobile phone retailer, was accused of…
Right Cause Searches for Right Path: Part II
Continued from Part I. Right Cause has positioned itself as a pro-business party in favor of free market reforms, privatization, and protecting the interests of…
Right Cause Searches for Right Path: Part I
Established in November of 2008, Right Cause (Правое Дело) is one of Russia’s youngest political parties. Right Cause formed from a merger of three smaller…