The first book to offer a detailed exploration of the condition of public debate in Russia, this pioneering volume presents a truly interdisciplinary perspective on Russian language and society. Offering case studies of the past and present communicative successes and failures in various social groups, the contributors explore why Russian society is unable to reach a consensus through dialogue.It is essential reading for advanced students and specialist in the fields of Slavic Studies, Cultural Studies, Sociolinguistics and Russian history, politics and sociology.