States of Obligation: Taxes and Citizenship in the Russian Empire and Early Soviet Republic

‘This book opens the door to new questions related to the means by which state, population, and economy intersect in Russia and elsewhere. The author and press are to be congratulated for blessing us with these intellectual provocations.’

David W. Darrow, Revolutionary Russia November 2015

‘As a study of both reformist and revolutionary state fiscal policy, an important area that has been much neglected, this is an intellectually sophisticated and stimulating work.’

Steven Hoch, American Historical review, December 2015

‘Kotsonis’s work offers much food for thought. For specialists or fellow travelers in Russian business history and economic history, this book is required reading.’

Steven Nafziger, EH.Net January 2016

"Yanni Kotsonis has written an original and magisterial work that will change the way we understand and teach Russian and Soviet history … Like all great books, it will be read and referenced by generations of historians … This is a superb work of scholarship – comprehensive, meticulously researched, illuminating, and humane."

Golfo Alexopoulos, The Russian Review

‘Yanni Kotsonis provides a stimulating and important history of the transformation of state obligations in nineteenth and early twentieth century Russia.’

John Randolph, Slavic Review vol 75:02:2016

‘States of Obligation is destined to emerge as a classic not only for historians but also for political scientists and economists with an interest in imperial and Soviet Russia.’

Scott Gehlbach Kritika, Explorations in Russian and Eurasian History vol 17:03:2016

‘With its unique focus on taxation, States of Obligation makes an important contribution to the field of Russian and Soviet studies… It should be of interest to those examining issues concerning the modernizing state and definitions of citizenship.’

Sharon A. Kowalsky, Canadian Journal of History vol 51:02:2016

‘Yanni Kotsonis has given us an erudite book, rich with insight. It is well worth reading.’

Frank Wcislo, Journal of Modern History vol 89:01:2017

“States of Obligation is a profound meditation on the Russian state, comprehensively researched and sure-handedly comparative. Revelation follows revelation – for example, direct taxes on Russia’s peasants accounted for a mere 1 per cent of state income in 1913. Textbooks will have to be rewritten.” Stephen Kotkin, John P. Birkelund '52 Professor in History and International Affairs, Princeton University

“This is an important book, and one that transcends the field of Russian history. It is learned, mature, highly comparative – and very readable and entertaining. Not so much a financial history as a study of political economy through the prism of taxation, States of Obligation demonstrates the nexus of taxation and citizenship – and shows that the contemporary actors thought and spoke in precisely those terms.” Peter Holquist, Department of History, University of Pennsylvania

“Those who are familiar with the work of Yanni Kotsonis will know that they have a treat in store. His latest book breaks new ground. It provides an authoritative, articulate, and subtle account of the politics of taxation in Russia at a crucial juncture. But it does more than this. It demonstrates that debates around taxation speak to fundamental issues of social organization, economic behaviour, and political authority. States of Obligation is wise, provocative, and illuminating in equal measure. I am certain it will stand the test of time.” Peter Gatrell, Professor of Economic History, University of Manchester