Assessing the Structural Prerequisites for an Efficient Russian Political Market

Olsson, M.-O. (2007). Assessing the Structural Prerequisites for an Efficient Russian Political Market. IIASA Interim Report. IIASA, Laxenburg, Austria: IR-07-037

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Abstract

Applying the market metaphor the first part of the article outlines a conceptual model for assessing the efficiency of the Russian political system. In the Russian transitional context the development of democracy also has to be included in such an assessment. Using Robert Dahl's classic criteria of democracy and Douglass C. North's factors determining transaction costs a scheme is suggested for assessing the efficiency of the Russian political market, looking at the "structure" of this market as well as actors behaviour ("agency"). In the second part of the article, essential structural developments of the Russian political market are analysed and the implications of these developments are discussed. The conclusion is that a number of recent reforms affecting the structure of the Russian political market will improve the prerequisites for efficiency of citizens' participation in political life. Finally, the usefulness of applying the market metaphor in analyses of the political system is discussed.

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