The Role of State in Ukrainian Business: Violent Bespredel and Profitable Partner
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Date
2015
Authors
Kyselyova, Tatiana
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Abstract
This article analyses the role played by the Ukrainian state in the everyday business of average
Ukrainian firms in 2007-2011. Relying on the empirical findings of a five-year case study conducted
in Eastern Ukraine, this article confirms the image of the Ukrainian state as a "grabbing hand"
or bespredel - an unrestricted and violent power. The contractual relations of the researched
firms and the state actors were fraught with illegal practices such as kickbacks from suppliers
and the need to systematically violate the law on state procurement; pervasive Soviet-style
personal relations; the risk of experiencing violent administrative pressure including criminal
prosecution; and deficiencies in the enforcement of contracts. Notwithstanding these risks, the
researched businesses revealed no absolute moral prohibition against joining the "grabbing
hand" of the state to exploit public resources and advance their own private gains.
Description
Keywords
state, business, contractual relations, post-Soviet transition, Ukraine, article
Citation
Kyselyova T. The Role of State in Ukrainian Business : Violent Bespredel and Profitable Partner / Tatiana Kyselova // Kyiv-Mohyla Law and Politics Journal. - 2015. - № 1. - P. 83-112.