Vodka Politics

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Russia's relationship with vodka is deeply intertwined with its history and politics. In Vodka Politics, Mark Lawrence Schrad contends that societal alcoholism is not an inherent trait but a product of the country's autocratic political system, which has historically utilized vodka as a tool of governance. The book explores this connection through a historical lens, from the reign of Ivan the Terrible to Vladimir Putin, revealing a state history steeped in alcohol. By examining the role of vodka in political events—from tsarist intrigues to the behavior of Soviet leaders—Schrad provides a nuanced perspective on Russian history. He investigates how rulers have leveraged alcohol to maintain their power, the impact of alcohol on tsarist coups, and the consequences of Nicholas II's prohibition on the Bolshevik Revolution. The text poses critical questions about the Soviet Union's reliance on liquor for its status as a world power and how vodka politics contributed to the collapse of communism and public health crises in the 1990s. Schrad argues that addressing the political legacies of vodka is vital for the future of Russian leadership, as the "liquor question" remains relevant in contemporary politics, posing significant challenges for social well-being and democracy.