Parasitic authoritarian
Regime and society in Russia
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
Since 2000, the political system in Russia has developed into an authoritarian regime. The creation of a totalitarian system is hindered by the fact that in Russia, the western model of consumerism has taken hold. Furthermore, Russia’s ruling élite is not pursuing any universal ideological goals, but is interested only in personal power and enrichment. The state institutions are characterised by a parasitic system of patronage and clientelism, in which secret service officials play a key role. By annexing Crimea and waging war against Ukraine, the regime spoke to imperial aspirations, while at the same time also fostering anti-Western resentment. This is not the way to achieve long-lasting legitimacy.
(Osteuropa 8-9/2018, pp. 3–24)