Category Archives: rule of law

Should You Hire a Corrupt Manager in Russia?

That’s the provocative question raised by Prof. Maxim Mironov of IE Business School in a new paper, which I came across via this post at the Wall Street Journal. In short, Mironov concludes that yes, on occasion, it is worthwhile … Continue reading

Posted in bribery, bribes, bureaucracy, Business, compliance, corruption, officials, rule of law, russia | 1 Comment

IKEA in Russia – Light at the End of the Tunnel?

It has been six months since I last wrote on IKEA, and I thought it was time to check in on TRM’s favorite foreign investor in Russia.  In December, it appeared that IKEA’s problems were only getting worse.  The whole story … Continue reading

Posted in bribery, bribes, bureaucracy, Business, compliance, corruption, Foreign direct investment, foreign investment, IKEA, Nabiullina, oecd, rule of law | 4 Comments

2012 Presidential Campaign Launches in Russian Style – Part II

[TRM's second installment on recent events in Russia] Medvedev made quite a few headlines two weeks ago with a series of moves that signaled a renewed push to ‘improve the investment climate’ in Russia.  This is, of course, not a … Continue reading

Posted in Business, clans, compliance, corruption, Foreign direct investment, foreign investment, goskorporatsii, Government of Russia, Kremlinology, ldpr, Medvedev, oligarchs, PM Putin, power vertical, President Medvedev, Putin, Putin's Plan, rule of law, russia, Russian economy, siloviki, state corporations, strategic industries, tandemocracy, Vedomosti, Vladimir Putin | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Did the Kremlin Violate Russian Procurement Law? Medvedev and Putin Rock Out

Oh Dima, what were you thinking.  Last Friday, Pres. Medvedev and PM Putin engaged in a silly photo op, likely dreamed up by some Kremlin ‘political technologist’ (Surkov!).  The goal: show an intact tandem after a politically turbulent week that … Continue reading

Posted in corruption, Dmitry Medvedev, federal laws, Law, Medvedev, PM Putin, President Medvedev, procurement, Putin, rule of law, russia, tandemocracy, war on corruption | 2 Comments

What’s Wrong with Russia? – Intro

A lot of ink is spilled over this question in Western – especially American and British – media outlets and think tanks.  The meme is so pervasive that it is nearly impossible to discuss Russia without at least one reference … Continue reading

Posted in Business and Economy, Cold War, crisis, democracy, Economic development, economics, elections, foreign investment, media, oil, rankings, reform, rule of law, russia, Russian economy | 3 Comments