Deciphering Russian Enigma: In 15 Questions and 30 Answers

by Ofer Fridman, Vera Michlin-Shapir

This book is about Russia. Yet, this book is not about Russia per se. To those, whose sole interest is a better understanding of the Kremlin’s decision making and how it shapes Russia’s present and future, we would refer to a rather long list of sources that we dutifully noted throughout the book. Instead, based on our expertise in Russian studies and the challenges that we experienced in the past 2 years, this book aims to offer a methodology to address questions when there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answer (due to lacking reliable information). Any attempt to answer this sort of questions using the commonly accepted deductive approach, based on scientific methods is bound to fail, because of the very nature of these questions. Therefore, using Russia as a case study, this book aims to advance a way of analysing (however limited, biased and uncertain) available information to advance a more critical understanding of the subject in question by using the methodology of dialectic inquiry.



 

191 pages, Hardcover

Published June 12, 2024

Reviews

[Hana]

Important vital book that takes a novel approach to understanding Putin’s Russia. The intellectual honesty of acknowledging the ambiguity and sheer difficulty of ascertaining facts was refreshing. Probably one of the most helpful books on the current Russian polity I have ever read.

[Alexandru Lebedev]

A good intro into argue-to-learn mindset. Reading the opposing analysis on Russia its good practice to adapt the mindset on how you are viewing the world and what do you use to grow intelectually.