In this original, bottom-up account of the evolution of contemporary Russia, Alena Ledeneva seeks to reveal how informal power operates. Concentrating on Vladimir Putin's system of governance - referred to as sistema - she identifies four key types of networks: his inner circle, useful friends, core contacts and more diffuse ties and connections. These networks serve sistema but also serve themselves. Reliance on networks enables leaders to mobilise and to control, yet they also lock politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen into informal deals, mediated interests and personalised loyalty. This is the 'modernisation trap of informality': one cannot use the potential of informal networks without triggering their negative long-term consequences for institutional development. Ledeneva's perspective on informal power is based on in-depth interviews with sistema insiders and enhanced by evidence of its workings brought to light in court cases, enabling her to draw broad conclusions about the prospects for Russia's political institutions.
• The concept of sistema provides a new angle on the paradoxes of Russian modernisation, contributing both to the modernisation debate and to literature regarding governance in Russia • Features exclusive sources of information following interviews with insiders of sistema • Provides original information on the working of power networks – vertushka, allowing readers to see both local and global implications of sistema
Contents
Introduction: modernising sistema; 1. What is sistema?; 2. Putin's sistema: svoi on top; 3. The inner workings of sistema: from blat to otkat; 4. Sistema's material culture: from vertushka to Vertu; 5. 'Telephone justice' in the global age: from commands to signals; 6. 'Werewolves in epaulets': from doublethink to doubledeed; 7. From dealership to leadership: sistema and informal governance; Conclusion.
Reviews
'An illuminating read.' Morning Star
'The book aims to provide readers with a much better understanding of how The System's informal rules are structured, where they come from and how they change. To achieve this, the author uses a wealth of material and an interdisciplinary approach, blending anthropological and sociological methods … her sample [of interviewees] does indeed include very high-ranking members (or former members) of the Russian elite.' Sergei Guriev, Open Democracy (opendemocracy.net)
'Until we have honest memoirs from members of the present Russian administration (if that ever happens), Ledeneva's book will remain the best guide to the way power is handled in Putin/ Medvedev's Russia. It is perceptive, intelligent and based on meticulous, discriminating research.' Geoffrey Hosking, University College London
'This is a superb book that is rich in primary qualitative research and a unique topic and methodology … Understanding the inner workings, the secret system, of a foreign society is a major step toward doing profitable business in that society. Without this type of insider knowledge about any society, there are too many pitfalls to do business successfully … Great insight on the Russian mind and character.' Stanley K. Ridgley, Drexel University
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