The process of researching and writing this book spanned over a decade. In the
course of this long journey almost all parts of the book were presented to
the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies (ASEEES); the
British Association for Slavonic and East European Studies (BASEES) and the
Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies (AABS). Multiple panel
discussions held during these international venues for Eastern European and
Soviet studies were crucial in shaping and transforming the manuscript into
what it is now. However, every research also requires serene and solitary space
and time. This was kindly provided to me by the Vytautas Magnus University,
my home institution. I am grateful to all the academic spaces which inspired and
enhanced my research as well as gave me a chance to finalize it.