Forced Transparency
Russia and the Scourge of Corruption
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
Under President Dmitry Medvedev, the struggle against Russia’s endemic corruption finally seemed to be underway. Laws were reformed; state agencies were ordered to be more transparent. Non-government organisations fighting corruption were heard. But, de facto, nothing has changed. Corruption continues, especially in the higher echelons of power. Russia refuses to adopt key elements of international anti-corruption conventions as national law and thus protects the illicit enrichment of its officials. Corrupt practices have hardened: entrepreneurs and ordinary citizens regularly fall victim to extortionist acquisitions. But opposition is stirring within society. Fewer and fewer people are willing to tolerate corruption. Maturity is taking the place of fatalism and resignation.
(Osteuropa 6-8/2012, pp. 241–250)