The Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters has published a new book: Authoritarian Regionalism and Democratic Development in the Post-Soviet Region: A Comparative Analysis, written by Johanna Holm (2025).

This dissertation explores why some countries democratize while others do not, focusing on the political trajectories of post-Soviet states between 1991 and 2021. It examines how membership in Russian-dominated non-democratic regional organizations (NDROs) has influenced democratic development in the region. Through three comparative analyses, the study finds that democratization and autocratization are shaped by a combination of factors, including each state’s relationship with Russia, geographical location, the strength of presidential power, NDRO membership, and interactions with other regional actors. The findings suggest that no single or universal explanation can account for regime change, as each country’s development is determined by its own historical, domestic, and regional contexts.

The book is available to read electronically or can be purchased from the Bookstore Tiedekirja, Snellmaninkatu 13, 00170 Helsinki.