In December 2011, a volcano of social activism that had long been dormant started to erupt in Russia, thrusting the country’s domestic politics into headlines around a world recently captivated by the Arab Spring. Contrary to the expectations of the Kremlin and some observers, the eruptions did not stop after the presidential elections in March 2012, when Vladimir Putin was successfully elected president for the third time. It is noteworthy that Moscow plays the role of the central square for the country, but the regions cannot be underestimated. In order to foresee further developments, it is important to understand the nature of discontent in Russia. What sparked the protests, where did they take place, who was involved, and where is the movement going? […]
