The Feudalization of the State
Charles H. Fairbanks
What Went Wrong in Russia?The Feudalization of the State Charles H. Fairbanks Jr. (bio) In essay this issue by Peter Reddaway and Dmitri Glinski, as well that Zoltan Barany, I feel myself sniffing Moscow air have experienced; Michael McFaul’s vision state democratic transition, spite enormous knowledge Russia informs it, seems somehow less recognizable. would emphasize even more than Glinski impotence administration privatization state, which are intimately related: The is weak because it has privatized away crucial powers to businessmen like bankers. This important for political scientists key development we did not foresee. We were prepared success democracy market, but also antidemocratic attitudes all our authors point possibility a reversion authoritarianism. had an excuse anticipating authoritarian rule rather states. There been many failed transitions, sometimes followed brief periods anarchy, most them last 200 years ended, within few years, rule. outstanding exception China after 1911, closer study transition might reveal something about Russian case. As McFaul ably argues, forms proved be very resilient; wonder how explain resilience. inclined argue, G.M. Tamás has, communist damaged only legitimacy politics opposition, military coups. [End Page 47] ready was quick transformation overly strong into state. But occurred large number former areas with widely differing histories cultures. cite cases know best. Chechnya, there essentially no Albania, Republika Srpska (the Serb part Bosnian Federation), Bosnia, Transdniester, Abkhazia, Georgia, Eastern Tajikistan, Cambodia, seems, on balance, feudal Europe between 1100 1200. Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan states; Ukraine Kazakhstan, stronger states getting weaker. need ask whether from predisposes “Feudal” Privatization Perhaps connection begins emerge if speak “feudalization” underlines clientelistic relationship involved. exchange support or carrying out service, turns over official resource exploited. Thus, just Carolingian Emperors dealt attacks Vikings, Hungarians, Saracens turning provinces their officials fiefs, Yeltsin turned interest state’s money new bankers return (illegal) campaign contributions, control Fourteenth Army Moldova General Lebed his putting pressure Ukraine’s flank. That these privatizations indiscriminate decisions shown fact nuclear weapons privatized. realm, tendency toward units local governors noted Barany. “multiple militaries” Interior Ministry, Presidential Guard, Federal Security Service) “moonlight” bodyguards, protectors private shipments warehouses, like, relieving budget while doing favors. Only thin line separates activity protection racket. light intermittent decisive role played KGB Kremlin power struggles (March June 1953March 1964March 1980–85), may safe Barany rightly suggests army proper. can find relationships Soviet history, saw fascist To surprising degree, system empowered informal, illegitimate order run institutions. This...
Journal of Democracy