Corruption in Post-Soviet Russia

Corruption has been a serious problem in post-Soviet Russia -though there was also much more of it in Soviet Russia than is generally realised. This article considers the scale of the problem, its causes and what both the authorities and civil society are doing about it. It argues that President Medvedev has been genuine in wanting to reduce corruption, and much more committed to this than either of his predecessors were. But corruption is so widespread and pervasive in Russia that it will take many years to bring it down to 'reasonable' levels; Medvedev's political will is a necessary but insufficient condition, and he requires greater political capacity and support. Moreover, since Putin has been elected to become president again (March 2012), the anti-corruption momentum built up by Medvedev will dissipate, unless Medvedev is made prime minister and given both full support and free rein by the president to pursue his anti-corruption drive.