Putinomics : How the Kremlin Damages the Russian Economy / Albrecht Rothacher

From Alexander II to Gorbatchev: The Economic History of Modern Russia. Post-Soviet Industrial Policy: From the Red Directors to the new State Oligarchs. Putin's Autocracy: Silosoviki Rule and their Kleptocracy. Putin's Budget Policies. The Russian Petro-State. The Liberalization of Russia's Electricity Market. The State Controlled Banks and the State Owned Enterprises and their Privileges. Russian Industry. Russian Railways and Logistics. Russian Agriculture, Forestry and the Agrofood Business. Russian SMEs and their Problems. External Trade: The Roles of the EU, of the Eurasian Economic Union and of China.

This book sheds new light on the political economy of Russia under Putin's rule. The author, a former EU diplomat, presents a historical review of the Russian economy and 60 years of state-communist mismanagement, followed by oligarchic privatization. The book offers profound insights into Putin's rule and the power mechanics of the state-dominated management of the Russian economy. It identifies and assesses the lack of rule of law, together with an arbitrary and often corrupt administration that systematically discourages entrepreneurship and the emergence of an independent middle class. Furthermore, the book discusses Russia's budgetary policy, its dependence on the export of natural resources, state-owned enterprises and their privileges, and Russia's external trade.This hard-hitting, substantial analysis debunks the myth of Russia's economic might and is a must read for anyone seeking to understand the economic realities of the Eurasian continent, or considering doing business with Russia.