Federico Varese
- Published in print:
- 2001
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780198297369
- eISBN:
- 9780191600272
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/019829736X.003.0005
- Subject:
- Political Science, Russian Politics
A variety of actors operate in the market for protection in Russia, and in order to establish how they interact with each other and with their clients/victims, this chapter and the next present an ...
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A variety of actors operate in the market for protection in Russia, and in order to establish how they interact with each other and with their clients/victims, this chapter and the next present an in-depth study of a particular Russian setting: the city of Perm, in the Ural region. Chapter 4 starts with a brief sketch of Perm’s history and traces the impact of market reforms on the structure of the city economy; further information on Perm is presented in Appendix B. This gives a sociological profile of those who benefited most from the transition to market in Perm, in particular the destination of the former Soviet elite, and shows that members of the former nomenklatura (a detailed list of posts in the Communist Party, Government, or elsewhere, to which individuals may not be appointed without personal interview and prior Party approval) entered the new economic elite. Based mostly on evidence from interviews carried out in 1994–95, and between 1996 and 1999, the chapter then traces the sources of harassment that small kiosk owners and businessmen are exposed to, and their search for effective protection, including their encounters with bogus and predatory ‘krysha’ (literally ‘roofs’ – the Russian slang for protection). Although this discussion is mostly devoted to criminal protectors, the market for protection proved to be populated not only by criminals: fragments of the state apparatus and private protection firms were also significant players.Less
A variety of actors operate in the market for protection in Russia, and in order to establish how they interact with each other and with their clients/victims, this chapter and the next present an in-depth study of a particular Russian setting: the city of Perm, in the Ural region. Chapter 4 starts with a brief sketch of Perm’s history and traces the impact of market reforms on the structure of the city economy; further information on Perm is presented in Appendix B. This gives a sociological profile of those who benefited most from the transition to market in Perm, in particular the destination of the former Soviet elite, and shows that members of the former nomenklatura (a detailed list of posts in the Communist Party, Government, or elsewhere, to which individuals may not be appointed without personal interview and prior Party approval) entered the new economic elite. Based mostly on evidence from interviews carried out in 1994–95, and between 1996 and 1999, the chapter then traces the sources of harassment that small kiosk owners and businessmen are exposed to, and their search for effective protection, including their encounters with bogus and predatory ‘krysha’ (literally ‘roofs’ – the Russian slang for protection). Although this discussion is mostly devoted to criminal protectors, the market for protection proved to be populated not only by criminals: fragments of the state apparatus and private protection firms were also significant players.
Graeme Gill
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- September 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199544684
- eISBN:
- 9780191719912
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199544684.003.0003
- Subject:
- Political Science, Political Theory, Democratization
This chapter looks at the origins of the post-Soviet bourgeoisie. It analyses the way it emerged during perestroika, and especially the role of the party state and its resources in both the shaping ...
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This chapter looks at the origins of the post-Soviet bourgeoisie. It analyses the way it emerged during perestroika, and especially the role of the party state and its resources in both the shaping of the new class and in the resources it had available to it. The importance of the Komsomol, the nomenklatura, Gorbachev's policy program, and privatization are explained in order to view the three overlapping stages of the emergence of the new class. The origin of a section of the bourgeoisie is also to be found outside the state sector, and this is outlined, especially the role of criminal activity in this. The question of the social integration of this group is also explored.Less
This chapter looks at the origins of the post-Soviet bourgeoisie. It analyses the way it emerged during perestroika, and especially the role of the party state and its resources in both the shaping of the new class and in the resources it had available to it. The importance of the Komsomol, the nomenklatura, Gorbachev's policy program, and privatization are explained in order to view the three overlapping stages of the emergence of the new class. The origin of a section of the bourgeoisie is also to be found outside the state sector, and this is outlined, especially the role of criminal activity in this. The question of the social integration of this group is also explored.
Tom Gallagher
- Published in print:
- 2001
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780199244096
- eISBN:
- 9780191600371
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/019924409X.003.0015
- Subject:
- Political Science, Democratization
Argues that the process of building democracy in Romania is dependent on a favourable external environment and active support from abroad. However, Romania has benefited far less from external ...
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Argues that the process of building democracy in Romania is dependent on a favourable external environment and active support from abroad. However, Romania has benefited far less from external efforts to promote democracy than most other ex‐Warsaw Pact States. The chapter points to some of the reasons of the retarded progress of democratization in Romania, such as a historical legacy of foreign occupation and sharp internal economic, cultural, and ethnic cleavages. The communist regime's determination to retain absolute control over politics and society and oppose any liberal initiatives in economics blocked off the possibility of any democratic transition. The activity of anti‐reformers described as ‘nomenklatura nationalists’ also contributed to the weakness of democratic consolidation in Romania. They demonstrated their ascendancy by blocking economic reforms between 1989 and 96, with the support of Russia, which sought to make Romania dependent on Russia's cheap energy supplies in return for political compliance. The author makes a case for a new approach to democracy building from domestic reformers and international organizations that recognizes Romania's special problems and pursues realistic targets.Less
Argues that the process of building democracy in Romania is dependent on a favourable external environment and active support from abroad. However, Romania has benefited far less from external efforts to promote democracy than most other ex‐Warsaw Pact States. The chapter points to some of the reasons of the retarded progress of democratization in Romania, such as a historical legacy of foreign occupation and sharp internal economic, cultural, and ethnic cleavages. The communist regime's determination to retain absolute control over politics and society and oppose any liberal initiatives in economics blocked off the possibility of any democratic transition. The activity of anti‐reformers described as ‘nomenklatura nationalists’ also contributed to the weakness of democratic consolidation in Romania. They demonstrated their ascendancy by blocking economic reforms between 1989 and 96, with the support of Russia, which sought to make Romania dependent on Russia's cheap energy supplies in return for political compliance. The author makes a case for a new approach to democracy building from domestic reformers and international organizations that recognizes Romania's special problems and pursues realistic targets.
Gernot Grabher and David Stark
- Published in print:
- 1996
- Published Online:
- October 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780198290209
- eISBN:
- 9780191684791
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198290209.003.0009
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Organization Studies, Political Economy
This chapter has a detailed look at literature on private entrepreneurship in the Czech Republic from the origins of the nomenklatura to the quick rise of small and medium-sized private Czech ...
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This chapter has a detailed look at literature on private entrepreneurship in the Czech Republic from the origins of the nomenklatura to the quick rise of small and medium-sized private Czech businesses and their entrepreneurship from 1990 to 1994. Even though official estimates confirm their booming development, a huge part of the private activities has not been recorded and has escaped statistics. The share of GDP accounted for by the private sector may have already ranged between 35% and 40% by 1993, far more than the official estimate of 26% to 30%. Even though much of this success is attributed to the government's macro-economic and privatization policy, the chapter argues that the essential element is the spontaneous motivation of members of the population to use their own capacity and resources in their livelihoods.Less
This chapter has a detailed look at literature on private entrepreneurship in the Czech Republic from the origins of the nomenklatura to the quick rise of small and medium-sized private Czech businesses and their entrepreneurship from 1990 to 1994. Even though official estimates confirm their booming development, a huge part of the private activities has not been recorded and has escaped statistics. The share of GDP accounted for by the private sector may have already ranged between 35% and 40% by 1993, far more than the official estimate of 26% to 30%. Even though much of this success is attributed to the government's macro-economic and privatization policy, the chapter argues that the essential element is the spontaneous motivation of members of the population to use their own capacity and resources in their livelihoods.
André Steiner and Kirsten Petrak-Jones
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- December 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780198809975
- eISBN:
- 9780191847226
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198809975.003.0021
- Subject:
- History, History of Ideas
This chapter provides a striking account of corruption in a state that saw itself as both free from corruption and as a clear exponent of the modern belief in the end of corruption; namely, the ...
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This chapter provides a striking account of corruption in a state that saw itself as both free from corruption and as a clear exponent of the modern belief in the end of corruption; namely, the communist German Democratic Republic (GDR). It discusses the official ideology and the anticorruption laws that were in place but also three distinct types of corruption that were present in the GDR. Ultimately, the chapter shows how the image of anticorruption was maintained by, on the one hand, accommodating to certain privileges and overlooking the clear misconduct of a part of the communist elite and, on the other hand, by concealment of the actual evidence of corruption.Less
This chapter provides a striking account of corruption in a state that saw itself as both free from corruption and as a clear exponent of the modern belief in the end of corruption; namely, the communist German Democratic Republic (GDR). It discusses the official ideology and the anticorruption laws that were in place but also three distinct types of corruption that were present in the GDR. Ultimately, the chapter shows how the image of anticorruption was maintained by, on the one hand, accommodating to certain privileges and overlooking the clear misconduct of a part of the communist elite and, on the other hand, by concealment of the actual evidence of corruption.
Jon K. Chang
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- January 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780824856786
- eISBN:
- 9780824872205
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Hawai'i Press
- DOI:
- 10.21313/hawaii/9780824856786.003.0007
- Subject:
- History, Asian History
Chapter 7 examines the Korean deportation and the Korean’s new lives in Central Asia. The Koreans began to be deported in late August 1937. The trip to Central Asia by train generally took one month. ...
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Chapter 7 examines the Korean deportation and the Korean’s new lives in Central Asia. The Koreans began to be deported in late August 1937. The trip to Central Asia by train generally took one month. Around 25 or more people would be crammed into one train wagon for one month. Many of the elderly and young children and infants died on the way to Central Asia. Koreans in the border villages with Manchuria and Korea were given the option of going there instead in lieu of deportation. Some five to ten thousand Koreans took this alternative. However, if there had truly been Japanese spies, the USSR would not have allowed this. Some two thousand Koreans remained on North Sakhalin working on the Soviet-Japanese joint ventures extracting oil, gas, timber, minerals and other resources despite an order for a complete deportation. These joint ventures produced hard currency (paid by Japan for resources extracted) for the Soviet leaders in Moscow.Less
Chapter 7 examines the Korean deportation and the Korean’s new lives in Central Asia. The Koreans began to be deported in late August 1937. The trip to Central Asia by train generally took one month. Around 25 or more people would be crammed into one train wagon for one month. Many of the elderly and young children and infants died on the way to Central Asia. Koreans in the border villages with Manchuria and Korea were given the option of going there instead in lieu of deportation. Some five to ten thousand Koreans took this alternative. However, if there had truly been Japanese spies, the USSR would not have allowed this. Some two thousand Koreans remained on North Sakhalin working on the Soviet-Japanese joint ventures extracting oil, gas, timber, minerals and other resources despite an order for a complete deportation. These joint ventures produced hard currency (paid by Japan for resources extracted) for the Soviet leaders in Moscow.
