The inability of the Russian state to enforce property rights and protect private entrepreneurs has been a major obstacle to economic growth. As the state became weak and lost its grip on justice and enforcement, alternative agencies emerged and took over these functions. But the competition between various criminal, private, and quasi-state agencies that offer protection and enforcement services has proven economically inefficient. Nor has it improved internal security and stability. However, several important shifts that have occurred in this realm over the last three years or so have made it possible to achieve a major reconfiguration. Analyzing these shifts, this memo suggests that improvement of state law enforcement capacity should now become the main priority. […]
