On the Risks of Introducing a Liberal Plan in a Traditionally Autocratic Society: The Case of Russia

Using the practice and culture of Russian economics as a case study, this paper asserts that in autocratic society with its anti-proprietary and lawless historical matrix the implementation of a liberal plan may eventually lead to reoccurrence and subsequent growth of autocratic principles, backed not only by the "conservatism of the poor" (Veblen) but also by newly emerged vested interests that benefited from established authoritarianism and traditionally indistinct property rights in the economy. The study clarifies the nature of corrupt authoritarianism in post-socialist transition and outlines policy recommendations aimed at the weakening of the autocratic principles in modern Russia.