How to Slay a Dragon

Building a New Russia After Putin

Mikhail Khodorkovsky

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English

Polity Press
08 December 2023

History; Politics & government

Mikhail Khodorkovsky is one of the most astute observers of today’s Russia. Imprisoned for a decade in Russia’s prisons on politically motivated charges, he knows all too well the best and the worst of his country. He now lives in exile and, like many Russians who live abroad, he longs for the day when he can return to a free and democratic Russia.

This book is Khodorkovsky’s account of what is happening in Russia today and what could happen in the future. Putin will not last forever: sooner or later, there will be a post-Putin era. But Russia’s history has been deeply shaped by an autocratic trap: a revolution against an autocracy has produced another autocracy, followed by another revolution and another autocracy, and so on. If Russia is to find its place as a constructive partner in a global community of civilized nations, then it has to escape this vicious cycle.

How to Slay a Dragon is Khodorkovsky’s account of his own journey and of how the vicious cycle of Russian history can be broken. He charts a pathway towards a parliamentary federal republic which would enable Russia to become a free and democratic society, living in peace and without dragons.

By: Mikhail Khodorkovsky
Imprint: Polity Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 218mm, Width: 145mm, Spine: 28mm
Weight: 476g
ISBN: 9781509561056
ISBN 10: 1509561056
Pages: 220
Publication Date: 08 December 2023
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Mikhail Khodorkovsky is Russia’s most famous living dissident in exile. Once regarded as Russia’s richest man, he criticised endemic corruption at a televised meeting with President Putin in early 2003, was arrested later that year and sentenced to fourteen years in prison. Eventually released in December 2013 and forced into exile, he now lives in London. He established the Open Russia Foundation in 2001 with the aim of building and strengthening civil society in Russia, and he relaunched the Open Russia movement in September 2014. As the leader of the Russian opposition in exile, Khodorkovsky works to promote political reform in Russia and advocates an alternative vision for his country’s future.

Reviews for How to Slay a Dragon: Building a New Russia After Putin

‘a blueprint for regime change’ Peter Conradi, The Sunday Times ‘This rigorous blueprint for a bold new future in Russia makes for heartening and timely reading.’ Sydney Morning Herald