Taking it to the streets : raising the costs of electoral authoritatrianism in Russia

The electoral authoritarian regime under Vladimir Putin's presidency in Russia has successfully ensured that political opposition remains either neutered or is removed from the political process altogether. The article argues that the unprecedented level of protest after the flawed parliamentary elections of December 2011 has altered the political landscape in Russia. Using a framework derived from the works of Alfred Stepan the article examines ways in which political opposition in Russia may be able to build on the advances made over the winter of 2011–2012 and more effectively challenge the regime.