11. Political Connections and Corruption
The ascent of the oligarchs was inseparable from their close ties to political power. Bribery, kickbacks, and secret deals were common as businessmen and officials exchanged favors for access, influence, and lucrative state contracts. This interdependence created a climate where personal relationships often mattered more than laws, entrenching a culture of corruption that still echoes in Russia today. Such collusion undermined democratic institutions and shaped the country’s political landscape (via Transparency International).
