The Politics of Bad Governance in Contemporary Russia

Speaker:

Vladimir Gelโ€™man

Language:

English

Date/Time:

November 13
7pm

Location:

Common Ground,6 Baghramyan St

The Politics of Bad Governance in Contemporary Russia

Speaker:

Vladimir Gelโ€™man

Language:

English

Date/Time:

November 13
7pm

Location:

Common Ground,6 Baghramyan St

The quality of governance makes a difference. It determines the developmental trajectories of states and nations and the everyday lives of their citizens. Why are some countries governed worse than others? In particular, why is contemporary Russia governed so much worse than one might expect, judging by its degree of socio-economic development?

In his book, “The Politics of Bad Governance in Contemporary Russia,” political scientist Vladimir Gelman outlines the answers to these questions. The book presentation will take place at Common Ground (6 Baghramyan St) on November 13 at 7pm.

In 1991, Russia began its post-Communist political and economic transformation, and soon embarked on the path of authoritarian modernizationโ€”an elite-driven project aimed to achieve economic prosperity at the expense of democratization. This analysis suits the ideas and interests of many segments of the Russian elites and contributes to certain short-term advancements of policy reforms. However, its setbacks have become more perilous over time. Russia has established and maintained bad governance as a durable politico-economic order of governing the state, economy and society, based upon appropriation and possession of public resources for private purposes by ruling groups and/or other influential actors; corruption and rent-seeking serve as its core elements.

Why and how has this politico-economic order been established and consolidated in Russia? What are the causes of its emergence, mechanisms of its maintenance, and possible trajectories of its changes? My book seeks answers to these questions through the lenses of an agency-based approach

The book is available in open access format.