Businessmen in representatives state bodies of Russian Regions: Numbers and incomes for entrepreneurial activity

Businessmen in representatives state bodies of Russian Regions:
Numbers and incomes for entrepreneurial activity


Sakaeva М.М.

Master of sociology at European University in Saint-Petersburg, Russia eu.sakaeva@gmail.com

ID of the Article: 6155


For citation:

Sakaeva М.М. Businessmen in representatives state bodies of Russian Regions: Numbers and incomes for entrepreneurial activity. Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya [Sociological Studies]. 2016. No 4. P. 142-146




Abstract

If business owner decides to become a member of regional and municipal legislative bodies, it means that institutional division between politics and economics is weak. The research is about the phenomenon (political and economical at the same time) within Russian local communities – numerous entrepreneurs within regional parliaments and municipal legislative bodies. Numbers, gathered by the author, have showed that small and large business is interested in political participation and their representatives are likely to be elected to regional parliaments. Qualitative data illustrate the picture in one federal okrug. Using the theory of property rights and qualitative data, the author analyzes what kind of opportunities an entrepreneur with political status has in order to protect his (her) property rights. Qualitative research was made in two Russian cities and shows the reality both in large and small towns. Research is questioning conditions and interests, which entrepreneurs have moving to politics. Finally, it was figured out, that parliament is the window of opportunities, which requires following particular game rules. The research found out that entrepreneurs are interested in deputy status under three conditions: high risks of business activity, low level protection of private property and widespread practices of 'privatization' of institutions by groups, individuals and organizations. Entrepreneurs are interested in deputy mandate, because it lets them to avoid or minimize risks, produced by the state and market.


Keywords
entrepreneurship; business environment; informal relations; deputies; regional parliament
Content No 4, 2016