Duka A.V. New nobility of the Russian regions. Vlast' i elity [Power and Elites], 2019, Vol. 6 (1), p. 169-196.

Abstract

The article analyzes the processes of formation of the Russian regional political elite. The growing oligarchization and plutocratization of the regional elite community is recorded. Moreover, there is an intra-family transfer of positions in political and administrative institutions that are officially open and potentially vacant. Powerful positions remain in the family. The duration and reproducibility of these positions occurs through the transfer of specific family social and symbolic capital. Along with the action of such an important factor as the formal institutional design of regional legislatures, limiting the professionalization of regional legislators, this leads to socio-political involution. An essential aspect of this process is the depoliticization of the political sphere. Moreover, this is not a spontaneous, but guided process. In parallel, there is a partial politicization of the regional economic elite. Subjectively, economic notables seek to secure their business and directly influence political decisions by being elected to the legislature. An objective consequence of this development is the acquisition by the regional power elites of the features of pre-modern dominance groups with all the role characteristics. There is a transformation of them into a new Nobility. This term is not used in its original meaning; it serves as a “high relief shade” in the proposed text for the problems of social involution and degradation of politics. The conclusion is drawn about the incomplete differentiation of the political sphere and political elites.