The Origins of United Russia and the Putin Presidency: The Role of Contingency in Party-System Development

Hale discusses the origins of United Russia and the Putin presidency, pointing out on the role of contingency in the development of Russia's party-system. He further discusses party building in Russia as campaign trick and reconstructs the creation of the Unity/All Russia Party, which has become an obedient tool of the president in Russia's parliament, Duma. He shows that Unity is not really a party in the traditional sense but a conglomeration of governors who, fearful of losing privileges, rallied to the side of Vlast power to preserve the remnants of their domain.