Dr. Kiryl Rudy, former Economic Advisor to the President of Belarus and Ambassador to China, has released his comprehensive study 'EVENTFUL ECONOMY: How Belarusians Reacted to Elections, Protests, Sanctions, and War.' The book combines rigorous academic research with Dr. Rudy's first-hand government experience to provide an unparalleled examination of Belarus' political and economic landscape during a period of significant turmoil. The work traces the country's trajectory from the explosive 2020 elections through street protests, escalating sanctions, and the ongoing impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Through five years of meticulous data collection and personal testimony, Dr. Rudy explores how political events reshape economic behavior, highlighting the anxiety, adaptation, and pragmatism of Belarusian citizens facing unprecedented challenges. His research investigates critical questions through the lens of his extensive career in government, diplomacy, and academia, including the relationship between economic growth and dominant political systems, the effectiveness of sanctions, and the impact of war on currency exchange and fiscal policy. The research was conducted while Dr. Rudy served as Professor at Belarusian State Economic University from 2020 to 2024, providing academic rigor to his practical government insights.
Yuri Tserlukevich of Arizona State University's Department of Finance described the work as 'a captivating analysis of political economy, illustrated with examples' that examines several questions through the prism of Dr. Rudy's experience and recent history of countries in Eastern Europe and beyond. The book provides an evidence-based but also personal account of Belarusian political economy and the economic drivers of elections, protests, sanctions, and war. Sergei Guriev, Professor of Economics and Dean at London Business School, added that 'This book is an essential contribution to understanding the intersection of politics and economics in Belarus and the region. Dr. Rudy combines scholarship with practical insights in a way few others can.'
The endorsement highlights the significance of this research for understanding economic adaptation during political crisis. Dr. Rudy's distinguished career includes service as Economic Advisor to the President of Belarus from 2013 to 2016, Ambassador to China from 2016 to 2020, and Fulbright Scholar at Indiana University in 2004. He also served on the supervisory boards of Belarus Development Bank and subsidiaries of Bank BelVEB from 2020 to 2022, providing him with unique insight into financial institutions during periods of economic stress. EVENTFUL ECONOMY is now available for purchase on Amazon through the publisher Upway Books, which specializes in helping academics and professionals publish their expertise.
