Overview

An isolated country dominated by a single, ruthless leader, Belarus is Europe's last modern dictatorship. Despite the country's fascinating history, rich culture, and gorgeous landscape, few nonresidents travel to Belarus and take advantage of its resources, and even though the nation's people are friendly and hospitable, they nevertheless live under the constant threat of arrest. Belarus exists outside of modern European norms, frozen in time by a tyrannical regime that fooled its citizens into thinking a new leader would grant their freedom. Instead, Alexander Lukashenko has pursued a pattern of rule as oppressive as all of those who came before him. Brian Bennett follows the history of Belarus from the collapse of the Soviet Union to the 2006 ascendance of Lukashenko. He revisits the excitement felt by many Belarussians after their first presidential election in 1994 and the cold realization that the country had returned to business as usual, as evidenced by the implementation of undemocratic referendums, fixed elections, suspicious disappearances, and the violent suppression of public opposition. Bennett concludes with a close consideration of the enigmatic Lukashenko and how his regime might one day end.

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9780231702805

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Reviews

Brian Bennett's lucid and judicious account of the rise of Alexander Lukashenko is based on his diplomatic work as British representative in Minsk during the country's bleakest period. His unique, factually-detailed book is a readable, authentic, and shocking cautionary tale for modern times. -- Arnold McMillin, University College London Incisive and well researched -- The Last Dictatorship in Europe is an important contribution to a shamefully neglected subject. -- Edward Lucas, author of The New Cold War: Putin's Russia and the Threat to the West A clear and well-documented history of social, cultural, economic, and political change during the autocratic rule of Alexander Lukashenko, and a welcome addition for scholars and students of the history and politics of post-Soviet Belarus. Lukashenko's continued rule will ensure a sustained interest in this book. -- Christian W. Haerpfer, University of Aberdeen

Brian Bennett's lucid and judicious account of the rise of Lukashenko is based on his diplomatic work as British representative in Minsk during this bleak period. This unique, factually detailed book is a readable, authentic and shocking cautionary tale for modern times. -- Arnold McMillin, Professor of Russian Literature, University College London

Author Information

Brian Bennett has a degree in Russian from Sheffield University and has served in the British Diplomatic Service in Western and Eastern Europe, the Caribbean, and North Africa. His last posting was as British Ambassador to Belarus from 2003 to 2007.

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