The development of an exclusive veterans’ policy: the case of Russia

Despite its social and political importance, veterans’ policy is an overlooked subject in the field of civil —military relations. This article aims to discuss the theoretical problems of studying veterans’ policy. It also proposes analysis of veterans’ policy in Russia. The aim of the theoretical review is to underline the limits of traditional ways of viewing veterans’ policy, which consider veterans’ policy as a consequence of the development of military institutions. The article stresses the importance of taking into account the effect of societal factors in explaining veterans’ policy. An examination of the Russian case demonstrates the historical development of an exclusive veterans’ policy, including the construction of the privileged position for veterans of the World War II. It also analyses the changes of veterans’ policy after the Soviet Afghan War of 1979 —89. Finally, the article highlights the principles of contemporary veterans’ policy in Russia and explains why it cannot be changed without reconfiguration of civil—military relationships.