Utan Demokrati, Ingen Bourgeoisie? En kvalitativ fallstudie om demokrati och medelklass i post-sovjetiska Ryssland

This essay constitutes a qualitative case study about democratization theory and the middle class in Russia. This is a very important case to study, especially because of the geographic position of the country as well as the economic importance Russia has as a part of the G8. In the essay the author seeks to answer the question whether the lack of a significant middle class in Russia can be a part of the explanation to the absence of a well functioning democracy in the country. Several democratization theories are presented. The most important being Ruth Berins Collier's theories about ins and outs plus the elite- or working class as the initiator of democratization processes. Amongst the other theories presented economic theory as well as theory emphasizing communication is mentioned. These theories are then applied to the Russian case, from the perspective of the middle class. Furthermore the author draws the conclusion that the not yet fully developed middle class of Russia can constitute an explanation as to why the country is not a democracy today. This is because of the strict ruling by the government but also because of the significance democratic questions has to the public