essay

Both China and Russia have changed profoundly in recent decades, although many have observed a high degree of continuity as well.  Pick one of the two countries and discuss how it has changed politically since the days either of Mao Zedong or of the Soviet Union.  To what extent has there been continuity in their political structures and practices?  To what extent do you believe these changes confirm the optimism of Francis Fukuyama and others that the world is gradually moving towards democracy, and to what extent do you feel that the experience of the country you chose contradicts this prediction? 
 
Be sure to write a coherent, well-structured essay of approximately five (5) double-space pages in length, giving citations for all sources you quote or use in a substantive way (including any online sources you may use), with a reference page at the end. These should include references from both of the assigned textbooks for the course, as well as any other sources you find relevant.  Also, try to organize your answer well, with both introductory and concluding paragraphs indicating the overall direction of the paper, and the general argument that you are making. 
Patrick H. O’Neil, Karl Fields, and Don Share. 2015. Cases in Comparative Politics. Fifth ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Co. 
 Patrick H. O’Neil. 2015. Essentials of Comparative Politics. Fifth ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Co.