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Empire of Corruption: The Russian National Pastime

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By award-winning investigative journalist and Russia expert, Luke Harding

Empire of Corruption: The Russian National Pastime

by Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1631 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	178 pages

"Harding's book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the true nature of the Russian state." - Anne Applebaum, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Red Famine

In Empire of Corruption, Luke Harding delivers a shocking and meticulously researched account of the endemic corruption that has gripped Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Drawing on years of on-the-ground reporting and exclusive interviews with key players, Harding paints a vivid picture of a country where graft and criminality have become the norm.

From the oligarchs who looted state assets in the 1990s to the kleptocrats who have enriched themselves under Vladimir Putin, Harding exposes the vast network of corruption that permeates every level of Russian society. He shows how corruption has hollowed out state institutions, stifled economic growth, and undermined the rule of law.

Empire of Corruption is a gripping and eye-opening account of the corrosive effects of corruption on Russian society. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the true nature of the Russian state and the challenges it poses to the international community.

Inside the Book

Empire of Corruption is divided into three parts:

The Oligarchs: This section explores the rise of the oligarchs, a group of ruthless businessmen who took advantage of the chaos of the post-Soviet era to amass vast fortunes. Harding profiles some of the most notorious oligarchs, including Boris Yeltsin's inner circle and the Putin-aligned "siloviki."
The Kleptocrats: This section examines the ways in which corruption has become institutionalized under Putin's rule. Harding shows how Putin has used corruption to reward his loyalists and silence his critics. He also explores the role of the Russian state in money laundering and other forms of financial crime.
The Sanctions: This section examines the impact of international sanctions on Russia's economy and its ruling elite. Harding argues that sanctions have had a limited impact on corruption, but have done much to isolate Russia from the international community.

Praise for Empire of Corruption

"Harding's book is a masterclass in investigative journalism. He has produced a devastating indictment of the Russian state and its kleptocratic elite." - The Guardian

"Empire of Corruption is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the true nature of the Russian threat." - The Washington Post

"Harding's book is a chilling reminder of the corrosive effects of corruption on society. It is a powerful and important work." - The New York Times

About the Author

Luke Harding is an award-winning investigative journalist and the former Moscow bureau chief of The Guardian. He has written extensively about Russia and its ruling elite for more than two decades. Harding is the author of several books, including Mafia State: How One Man Rules Russia and The Snowden Files: The Inside Story of the World's Most Wanted Man.