Bringing together scholars of human geography, environmental sociology, law, economics and international policy from Finland, Russia, Sweden and Germany, this book examines how local communities and enterprises adjust to transition and institutional changes in Northwest Russia. A unique and important facet of the book is that it analyzes the law and legal institutions, focusing on how those involved in law use or abuse it, in relation to unofficial institutions and the interplay of different interest groups in governing forest and fishery resources. The local view is approached empirically with data gathered through interviews, which is then compared against institutional change at national level and in the global arena. Multidisciplinary in nature, the book demonstrates innovative ways of adjusting to change, combining old and new, local and global and providing a holistic view of the Russian economy and a society in transition.

This book explores how policymaking works in Russia, focusing on the important field of environmental policy. It argues that, contrary to the prevailing view that power is concentrated in the president’s hands, policy is in fact made by the bureaucracy and influential industry and industrial association lobbyists.

Most recent research seeks to explain contemporary changes in Russia by analysing the decisions of Russian leaders, oligarchs and politicians based in Moscow. This book examines another Russia, one of ordinary people changing their environment and taking opportunities to provoke societal changes in small towns and the countryside. Russia is a resource-rich society and the country’s strategy and institutional structure are built on the most valuable of these resources: oil and gas. Analysing the implications of this situation at the local level, this book offers chapters on resource use, local authorities, enterprises, poverty and types of individual, as well as a final chapter which places local societies within the framework of the Russian politicised economy. Based on extensive empirical data gathered through more than 400 semi-structured interviews with entrepreneurs, teachers, social workers and those working for the local authorities, this book sheds light on the role of local activity in the development of Russian society and is essential reading for students and scholars interested in Russia and its politics.

Bringing together scholars of human geography, environmental sociology, law, economics and international policy from Finland, Russia, Sweden and Germany, this book examines how local communities and enterprises adjust to transition and institutional changes in Northwest Russia. A unique and important facet of the book is that it analyzes the law and legal institutions, focusing on how those involved in law use or abuse it, in relation to unofficial institutions and the interplay of different interest groups in governing forest and fishery resources. The local view is approached empirically with data gathered through interviews, which is then compared against institutional change at national level and in the global arena. Multidisciplinary in nature, the book demonstrates innovative ways of adjusting to change, combining old and new, local and global and providing a holistic view of the Russian economy and a society in transition.

First published in 1952, the International Bibliography of the Social Sciences (anthropology, economics, political science, and sociology) is well established as a major bibliographic reference for students, researchers and librarians in the social sciences worldwide. Key features: * Authority: Rigorous standards are applied to make the IBSS the most authoritative selective bibliography ever produced. Articles and books are selected on merit by some of the world's most expert librarians and academics. * Breadth: Today the IBSS covers over 2000 journals - more than any other comparable resource. The latest monograph publications are also included. * International Coverage: The IBSS reviews scholarship published in over thirty languages, including publications from Eastern Europe and the developing world. * User friendly organization: all non-English titles are word sections. Extensive author, subject and place name indexes are provided in both English and French.