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 doingbusiness with Russia.
