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Plagiarism-gate

Details: 07 May 2013; Olga Khvostunova

Russia has been shaken by a series of scandals concerning the exposure of plagiarism in the dissertations of politicians and officials. Verification of the authenticity of their research was initiated by a group of bloggers and coincided with a reform launched by the Education Ministry that aimed at reducing the number of inefficient universities in Russia. Education Minister Dmitri Livanov ended up at the center of the stir. IMR Advisor Olga Khvostunova discusses why the authenticity of the dissertations has become a political issue.

Details: Nation

On “Parasites” in the New Russian Economy

Details: 06 May 2013; Boris Bruk

The Russian authorities have acknowledged that they do not know what nearly half of the country’s working-age population does. IMR Advisor Boris Bruk has analyzed the Soviet-era experience of fighting “parasitism” and compared it to the present day.

Details: Politics

Vladimir Putin's "Indirect Line"

Details: 02 May 2013; Tatiana Stanovaya

The nature of authoritarian regimes, especially those that depend on a "mobilized" social base, requires constant communications between a leader and his audiences. On April 25, Vladimir Putin answered questions from Russian citizens during a live televised call-in show. This political show is becoming a key attribute of the regime. Political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya discusses the peculiarities of Putin's dialogue with the people.

Details: Politics

Moscow Recruits Interpol

Details: 02 May 2013; Alexander Podrabinek

The Russian authorities have requested an Interpol Red Notice against William Browder, head of the Hermitage Capital Management investment fund and a key architect of the Magnitsky Act. Author and analyst Alexander Podrabinek notes that Interpol has a history of honoring the Kremlin’s politically motivated requests.

Details: Nation

Putin’s Lost Children

Details: 01 May 2013; Donald N. Jensen

It is often argued that Russia’s democratic future is assured by the progressive and pro-Western attitudes of its youth. Donald N. Jensen, Resident Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, contends that the reality is more complex.

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