Institute of Modern Russia

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Economics

Going East

The State-Controlled Monster to Take Over Eastern Siberia and the Far East

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17 May 2012

The Russian government has “developed” an unprecedented level of know-how in extracting resources in Eastern Siberia and the Far East. In the near future, a new state corporation is slated to get control 60% of the territory of Russia, including the largest oil and natural gas deposits, railroads, forests, and mines in the country. The corporation will essentially function as a state-within-a-state.

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Economics

A Russian Pro Forma: Falsified Declarations of Income Speak Volumes

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03 May 2012

Caterina Innocente

In April 2012, the Russian president, his cabinet, the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Ministers, regional representatives and senators all made their declarations of income public. Caterina Innocente discusses how the vertical power structure invalidates the very institution of declaring income, mocks the credulity of the Russian people, and finally, fails to fight corruption, which is what it was intended to do.

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Economics

Alexander Auzan: Modernization Begins in People's Minds and in Their Systems of Value

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30 April 2012

Olga Khvostunova

In the coming weeks, IMR will begin publishing chapters from Alexander Auzan's recent book on institutional economics in Russian and in English. By way of introduction, we are presenting an interview with Dr. Auzan where he reflects on the possibility of major changes in  approaches to government worldwide and on the impact such shifts may have on Russia.

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Economics

INSOR’s Unfulfilled Dreams

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14 April 2012

Caterina Innocente

IMR's Caterina Innocente relates the history of INSOR, a pro-Medvedev think tank. With Putin's return to the presidency, INSOR's unsuccessful political maneuvering may leave the organization without a future.

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Economics

A Bright Tomorrow for Putin's State Oligarchy

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27 March 2012

Pavel Ivlev

One of the most corrupt entities in the Russian economy is the state corporation. Provided with special charters, these companies control a massive portion of Russian industries—and state assets. IMR's Pavel Ivlev examines the history of state corporations and explains why, with Putin's return to the presidency, they may be here to stay.

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Economics

Putin Plans, Russia Pays

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12 March 2012

Pavel Ivlev

Vladimir Putin has returned to the post of president, with the official result of 63% of the vote, a set of unprecedented social promises, and without a clear program for the economy. According to IMR’s Pavel Ivlev, the shape of the economic policy in Putin's third term is one of the greatest controversies of this political season.

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Economics

Putin and Populism: A Ticking Time-Bomb

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28 February 2012

Pavel Ivlev

On February 13th, Komsomolskaya Pravda published an article by Vladimir Putin called “Developing Fairness: The Social Welfare State.” In this piece, Putin voiced a number of new promises aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable groups such as public sector employees (doctors, teachers), pensioners, students, and military personnel.  According to financial specialists, the proposed plan could cost 5 trillion rubles. The Ministry of Finance gives a smaller estimate, nearly 1 trillion rubles. Whatever the figure, the questions of economic and social reform stand. Without reforms, says IMR Director Pavel Ivlev, the growth of social infrastructure expenses will significantly contribute to macroeconomic instability in Russia.

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Economics

Will the Small Cities of Russia Survive?

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07 February 2012

Irina Suvorova

Russian financial policy expert Irina Suvorova analyzes the situation with small and mid-sized cities in Russia today, criticizing the position voiced by the Minister of Economic Development Elvira Nabiullina at the 2011 Moscow Urban Forum.

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Economics

Russian Economic Problems Highlighted as Country Joins WTO

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05 January 2012

Olga Khvostunova

On December 16, Russia was finally — after 18 years of negotiations — admitted to the World Trade Organization. Though WTO membership was one of the key issues in Russia’s foreign policy agenda, the benefits of this deal are debatable. Some analysts estimate that Russia can gain at least $50 billion a year, while others argue that the country’s own inefficiency, endemic corruption and stifled competition will limit the investment inflow.

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Economics

Alexey Navalny: Privatization is no "magic pill" to solve corruption

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01 November 2011

Privatization seems to be back on the front burner in Russia, since President Dimity Medvedev’s approval this past August of a new plan requiring the government to sell off many of its ownership stakes in Russian businesses by 2017. (According to the latest figures from Standard & Poor’s, state ownership of shares in Russian companies accounts for 53% of market capitalization in Russia.) However, firebrand Moscow attorney, investors’-rights activist and political blogger Alexey Navalny criticizes the increasingly popular idea that privatization could be a “magic pill” for curing the corruption that plagues Russia's still-developing economy.