Category Archives: rule of law

The Matrix Strikes Back – the Sanctions and Russia’s Post-US Economic Model

Posted on May 1, 2014 by

Everyone agreed that the first round of Russia sanctions were laughably ineffective, aimed at a motley assortment of Kremlin B-teamers, whom Putin demoted to limit the damage they can cause and about whom Putin couldn’t care less. The second round … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Business and Economy, Chemezov, clans, corruption, Dmitry Medvedev, Economic development, economics, Foreign direct investment, foreign investment, foreign policy, goskorporatsii, Government of Russia, Medvedev, offshore, power vertical, Putin, Putin's Plan, Rotenberg, rule of law, russia, Russian economy, siloviki, state corporations, strategic industries, Timchenko, u.s.-russia relations, Vladimir Putin | 4 Comments

How the ‘Experts Case’ Explains Everything that’s Happening in Russia Right Now

Posted on August 10, 2013 by

As covered in the previous post, in June a prominent Russian economist – Sergey Guriev – fled Russia after investigators began targeting him in the case of a 2011 report on the human rights implications of Mikhail Khodorkovsky’s ongoing incarceration. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bastrykin, Chaika, criminal law, Dmitry Medvedev, Economic development, economics, Government of Russia, Guriev, investigative committee, legislation, Medvedev, mvd, officials, prosecutor general, Putin, rule of law, russia, Russian economy, siloviki, u.s.-russia relations, Vladimir Putin | 2 Comments

Should You Hire a Corrupt Manager in Russia?

Posted on February 12, 2013 by

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?

Posted on June 21, 2011 by

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

Posted on April 11, 2011 by

[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

Posted on October 6, 2010 by

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

Posted on August 28, 2010 by

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