Political and Economic Transition in Russia Predatory Raiding, Priva

This book analyzes privatization reforms, property rights, and raiders in post-Soviet Russia. The author surveys the existing literature in the context of predatory raiding in Russia and introduces the notion and concept of this phenomena; he suggests tha

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ARARAT L. OSIPIAN

Political and Economic Transition in Russia

Ararat L. Osipian

Political and Economic Transition in Russia Predatory Raiding, Privatization Reforms, and Property Rights

Ararat L. Osipian University of  Wisconsin–Madison Madison, WI, USA

ISBN 978-3-030-03830-4    ISBN 978-3-030-03831-1 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03831-1 Library of Congress Control Number: 2018964186 © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors, and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Cover image © Fabrizio Moglia / Getty Images Cover design: Oscar Spigolon This Palgrave Macmillan imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland

Foreword

Barbarians at the gate! Today, they are gathering at the gates of factories and plants, housing condominiums, collective farms, banks and insurance companies and numerous other enterprises, firms, and organizations. The image of the predatory raider, the Russian predator, becomes emblematic of modern Russia. This image dominates the landscape of business transactions, financial flows, and oil riches in the country that not so long ago was a gray-colored militarized Stalinist Empire. Who are these aggressively looking men in black or khaki uniforms wielding clubs and batons, spreading tear gas, jumping over fences, and ramming gates? These are Russian raiders. Why do they climb the walls, jump into windows, break through office doors into director’s quarters, and roll top managers out of their offices along with their leather armchairs? Because they take over the key positions: the director’s office, accounting books, and gates and checkpoints. They secure the perimeter to let their people in and to move the now previo