Photo 51

Photo 51

Writer: Anna Van Lenten 
Design: de.mo / Giorgio Baravalle
Publisher: Institute of Modern Russia, 2012

 

Like threads of DNA spiraling in ladder formation, Russia’s reliance on corruption for its basic functioning is both commonplace and breathtaking. Most people don’t acknowledge this, but corruption in Russia has become its own institution, upon which all other institutions run.

 

Without the patron-client transaction, business and education, police and military, medical and judicial operations, don’t happen. Things that are not normal—bribing, beatings, adultery, cronyism, negligence, chauvinism, lying, and the cynicism of elected officials—are borne as normal. 

 

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Press: NYT Sunday Review, Huffington Post, Business Insider, NYT Lens Blog