{"product_id":"9780472121991","title":"The Return of Ideology: The Search for Regime Identities in Postcommunist Russia and China","description":"\u003cp\u003eAs a nation makes the transition from communism to democracy or another form of authoritarianism, its regime must construct not only new political institutions, but also a new political ideology that can guide policy and provide a sense of mission. The new ideology is crucial for legitimacy at home and abroad, as well as the regime’s long-term viability. In \u003ci\u003eThe Return of Ideology\u003c\/i\u003e, Cheng Chen compares post-communist regimes, with a focus on Russia under Putin and post-Deng China, investigating the factors that affect the success of an ideology-building project and identifies the implications for international affairs.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Successful ideology-building requires two necessary—but not sufficient—conditions. The regime must establish a coherent ideological repertoire that takes into account the nation’s ideological heritage and fresh surges of nationalism. Also, the regime must attract and maintain a strong commitment to the emerging ideology among the political elite.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Drawing on rich primary sources, including interviews, surveys, political speeches, writings of political leaders, and a variety of publications, Chen identifies the major obstacles to ideology-building in modern Russia and China and assesses their respective long-term prospects. Whereas creating a new regime ideology has been a protracted and difficult process in China, it has been even more so in Russia. The ability to forge an ideology is not merely a domestic concern for these two nations, but a matter of international import as these two great powers move to assert and extend their influence in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"University of Michigan Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47121978392816,"sku":"9780472121991","price":54.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9780472121991_p0.jpg?v=1763707817","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9780472121991","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}