Towards a new social order in Russia - Timo Piirainen

A new society is evolving on the ruins of the Soviet socialism in Russia. Given the difficult legacy of the Soviet Union, this process is chaotic and contradictory. What are the outlines of the new society? How is the future course of Russia affected by the Soviet past? And how do ordinary people adapt to the rapid change from the Soviet past to the capitalist present? - - This book provides a vivid description of the consequences of the abrupt change of political, social, and economic institutions to the everyday life of ordinary Russians. Based on extensive and unique interview data of Russian families, the book describes the strategies that ordinary people employ amidst the chaotic transformation. Besides a description of the change in the everyday life during a major rupture in history, the book provides also an analysis of the evolving new social structures. The everyday life of ordinary Russians serves as a prism, through which the new society may be viewed.