Staging Democracy: Political Performance in Ukraine, Russia, and Beyond

Staging Democracy explores how local political and business leaders pressure citizens to participate in command performances through salaries, benefits, and public infrastructure, reshaping understandings of the role of politics. It suggests we can analyze politics in both democracies and authoritarian regimes using the same analytical lens of political theater.

Format: Hardback
Length: 252 pages
Publication date: 24 June 2022
Publisher: Cornell University Press

Staging Democracy delves into the experiences of individuals in Russia and Ukraine, shedding light on the complex dynamics that shape political leadership. Through in-depth research and analysis, the book explores how the popularity of certain national leaders is often rooted in local economic compacts. Jessica Pisano, the author, draws on extensive long-term research in rural communities and company towns, meticulously examining how local political and business leaders leverage salaries, benefits, and public infrastructure to coerce citizens into participating in command performances.

Pisano's study takes a multi-faceted approach, examining elections where the outcome is predetermined, protests for hire, and smaller mises en scène to understand the motivations behind people's participation, the distinctions between spectacle in totalitarian societies and political theater, the presence of political theater in both authoritarian and democratic systems, and the profound impact these performances have on shaping perceptions of politics.

By expanding its scope beyond Russia and Ukraine, Staging Democracy offers a novel economic argument for why some individuals support leaders like Putin and similar politicians. Pisano proposes that we can analyze politics in both democracies and authoritarian regimes through the lens of political theater, providing a fresh and insightful perspective on the complex dynamics of power and governance.

Through its compelling narrative and rigorous scholarship, Staging Democracy offers valuable insights into the complex interplay between politics, economics, and social dynamics, challenging readers to reevaluate their understanding of political leadership and the role of citizens in shaping their societies.

Weight: 28g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501764066