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.