Alcohol and autocracy: Mark Lawrence Schrad, political science professor and the author of @VodkaPolitics explains the sordid history of Russia’s fixation with alcohol as a means of financial profit and social control and how it connects to Russia’s war with Ukraine. https://t.co/cWZe2wicId ...

Russia, famously known for its vodka and its culture of extreme intoxication. But just as vodka is central to the lives of many Russians, it is also central to understanding Russian history and politics. That's right in the book vodka, politics, alcohol, autocracy, and the Secret History of the Russian State.Author Mark Lawrence explores original documents and archival evidence to analyze how vodka is hard wired into the Russian political system. And Mark joins us now live on set. You are also an assistant ...