Dr. Kiryl Rudy, former Economic Advisor to the President of Belarus and Ambassador to China, has released a book examining the country's political and economic landscape through recent turbulent events. "Eventful Economy: How Belarusians Reacted to Elections, Protests, Sanctions, and War" combines academic research with firsthand experience to trace Belarus's trajectory from the 2020 elections through protests, sanctions, and the ongoing impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The work is based on five years of data collection and personal testimony, exploring how political events reshape economic behavior among citizens. Dr. Rudy investigates the relationship between economic growth and political systems, the effectiveness of sanctions, and the impact of war on currency exchange and fiscal policy through his extensive career in government, diplomacy, and academia.
Yuri Tserlukevich of Arizona State University's Department of Finance described the book as "a must-read for anyone interested in Belarus," noting it provides "an evidence-based but also a personal account of Belarusian political economy." Sergei Guriev, Professor of Economics and Dean at London Business School, called it "an essential contribution to understanding the intersection of politics and economics in Belarus and the region."
Dr. Rudy's research was conducted while serving as Professor at Belarusian State Economic University from 2020 to 2024. His distinguished career includes service as Economic Advisor to the President of Belarus from 2013 to 2016, Ambassador to China from 2016 to 2020, Fulbright Scholar at Indiana University in 2004, and service on supervisory boards of Belarus Development Bank and subsidiaries of Bank BelVEB from 2020 to 2022.
The book's publication is significant for several reasons. It provides rare insider perspective from a former high-ranking official during a period of intense international scrutiny. For policymakers and analysts, it offers evidence-based analysis of how sanctions and political instability affect economic behavior in authoritarian contexts. For scholars of Eastern Europe, it contributes to understanding how citizens adapt economically during prolonged crises.
The work also has implications for understanding economic resilience in sanctioned economies and how political events translate into everyday financial decisions. As regional tensions continue, insights from Belarus's experience may inform approaches to other countries facing similar challenges. The book is now available for purchase on Amazon.
