Putin promotes himself as a big reformer but no real actions have been undertaken so far, which would prove that true. Therefore I am asking myself, if President Putin is rather a reformer or a power-politician.
Where are the necessary reforms Putin is talking about? Does Putin really want to reform the country for the better or is his major concern to maintain his position as president? Are the new reforms meant seriously or are they just a way to quiet up the critics and protect his position? It is very unclear where Russia is heading too. If you believe the official statement, you would see a democratic reformed Russia. Unfortunately if you dig deeper, Putins words need to be doubted. No effective reforms were installed that would have turned the country around.
What are Putins real intentions, aims and goals? I am questioning myself what kind of influence he has on the Russian economy.
In my paper I will try to answer all these questions. Further I choose this topic as discussions about Russia’s economical strength are constantly going on.
For me, Wladimir Putin is a very interesting man. It seems very difficult to figure him out or for what he is actually standing for. His behaviour on certain issues is much contradicted what makes him a very difficult business partner. He seams to have two faces.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
1) WLADIMIR PUTIN
2) OLIGARCHY
2.1 CONSPIRACY THEORIES ABOUT THE YUKOS AFFAIR
3) ECONOMIC REFORM PROGRAM
4) REFORMS
4.1 TAX REFORM
4.2 LAND REFORM
5) PRIVATIZATION
6) THE BANK SECTOR
6.1 STRUCTURE
6.2 CONCLUSION
7) TRADE POLICY
Objectives and Key Themes
The paper examines the economic developments in Russia during the presidency of Vladimir Putin, aiming to determine whether his policies signify a genuine commitment to structural reform or are primarily driven by political power consolidation. The research investigates the discrepancy between official reform narratives and the practical implementation of economic changes.
- Analysis of Putin's economic reform agenda and its effectiveness.
- Evaluation of the state's relationship with the Oligarchs and its impact on the economy.
- Examination of tax and land reforms as indicators of liberalization.
- Assessment of the banking sector's structural weaknesses and lack of competition.
- Review of Russia's trade policy and efforts towards WTO membership.
Excerpt from the Book
2) Oligarchy
Putins attacks against certain oligarchs are most likely the most published strategy out of his economical strategies. Under Yeltsin the oligarchs could do whatever they wanted. Therefore the attacks found great support worldwide, as the oligarchs practice standards which did not meet the standards of the international market. The structures of monopolies did not adhere to market competition.
These attacks started shortly after he won the presidential elections in 2000. He created the tax police which was sent out to find companies who do not properly pay their taxes.
The first Oligarch investigated was Gusinsky. Vladimir Gusinky was one of the most famous oligarchs. Media-Most's NTV was critical of Putin's election campaign. In the end, he lost his media empire. Later on Gusinsky was arrested, expelled from the country and lives now in exile. Allegedly there was fraud involved when purchasing.
It does not seem that Putin was concerned about economic power, but he was concerned with shutting down political criticism of his policies. (Millar 2005:132)
Chapter Summary
INTRODUCTION: Discusses the overarching question of whether Putin is a genuine reformer or a power-politician seeking to maintain control.
1) WLADIMIR PUTIN: Analyzes the shifts in Putin's political stance, particularly regarding international relations post-9/11 and his engagement with the WTO.
2) OLIGARCHY: Details the Kremlin's targeted attacks against powerful oligarchs like Gusinsky and Khodorkovsky, framing them as moves to consolidate state power.
2.1 CONSPIRACY THEORIES ABOUT THE YUKOS AFFAIR: Explores the political motivations behind the dismantling of the Yukos oil company.
3) ECONOMIC REFORM PROGRAM: Compares the Gref Program and the Ishayev Plan, evaluating the government's approach to structural economic changes.
4) REFORMS: Provides an overview of the structural changes implemented under Putin, noting their dependence on international norms rather than domestic needs.
4.1 TAX REFORM: Examines the simplification of the tax system and the introduction of a flat tax to boost efficiency and economic stimulation.
4.2 LAND REFORM: Discusses the legal challenges and eventual legalization of farmland ownership, highlighting the slow development of private property rights.
5) PRIVATIZATION: Reviews the state's cautious approach to further privatization since 2003 and the underlying lack of public trust due to historical illegalities.
6) THE BANK SECTOR: Evaluates the structural issues in the banking industry, including lack of competition and heavy state involvement.
6.1 STRUCTURE: Describes the composition of the banking market, noting the dominance of state-owned banks like Sberbank.
6.2 CONCLUSION: Summarizes the bank sector's reliance on weak law enforcement and the need for a more stable supervisory environment.
7) TRADE POLICY: Analyzes Russia's efforts to integrate into the global economy through the WTO and its ineffective attempts at regional economic unions.
Keywords
Vladimir Putin, Russian Economy, Oligarchy, Gref Program, Tax Reform, Land Reform, Privatization, Banking Sector, WTO, State Control, Political Power, Economic Liberalization, Corruption, Law Enforcement, Foreign Investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper focuses on the political and economic landscape of Russia during Vladimir Putin’s presidency, specifically evaluating the nature and success of his reform policies.
What are the central themes covered in the text?
Key themes include the political consolidation of power through the curbing of oligarchic influence, the implementation of tax and land reforms, and the challenges within the banking and trade sectors.
What is the author's primary research question?
The author asks whether Vladimir Putin is truly a reformer aiming to improve the country or a power-politician whose primary concern is maintaining his presidential position.
Which scientific approach does the author use?
The paper utilizes a qualitative analysis of political and economic developments, synthesizing existing scholarly literature to provide a critical assessment of the Putin era.
What is examined in the main body of the text?
The main body treats specific policy areas including the Kremlin’s campaign against oligarchs, the specifics of the Gref Program, fiscal reforms, and the structure of the banking and trade sectors.
Which keywords best describe this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as Putin, Russian Economy, Oligarchy, Reforms, WTO, and state intervention.
How does the author characterize the Yukos affair?
The author describes it as a politically motivated crackdown by the Kremlin, intended to neutralize Khodorkovsky's political influence and reassert state control over strategic energy assets.
What does the author conclude about the state of the banking sector?
The conclusion is that the sector is fundamentally underdeveloped due to lack of competition, insufficient supervision, and the absence of reliable law enforcement, all of which hinder effective intermediation.
- Quote paper
- Karin Rammerstorfer (Author), 2007, The russian economy under Putin, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/112165
