Institutional Reform and Discourse on Democracy in Russia

Abstract

This study examines the effects of ideas on the process of institutional reform, with a particular focus on Russian case. In explaining the interaction between institutional reform and ideas, I rely on the concept of "Knightian uncertainty" proposed by Blyth. In order to examine Russia's discourse on democracy, I mainly focus on the concept of sovereign democracy. The concept of sovereign democracy demonstrates how the international norm of democracy has been adapted by the domestic contexts in Russia. This is manifested as a reinterpretation of the concept of democracy in the context of Russian history, which is distinguished from that of Western liberal democracies. The concept of sovereign democracy also allows for an interpretation of the crisis situations. The central argument of the proponents of sovereign democracy with regard to the international political situation can be