Tragedy of Property: Private Life, Ownership and the Russian State

Russian novels, poetry, and ballet showcase the country's unique political culture, where private property has been used by the authorities as a governance tool. Nineteenth-century Russian liberals did not consider property rights to be a civil cause, and the Soviet Union gave the concept of private ownership a bad name. However, with the collapse of the Soviet ideology, property could be called property, but not all properties were equal. This perspective on Russian history is essential for understanding Russia today.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 220 pages
Publication date: 06 July 2018
Publisher: Polity Press

Russian literature, poetry, and ballet have firmly established the country within the European cultural family, yet there is a unique aspect to Russia, particularly in terms of its political culture. What sets Russia apart? Maxim Trudolyubov employs the concept of private property as a focal point to identify the most distinctive characteristics that define Russia's political culture. In many Western societies, private property has served as a safeguard for individuals against the state's authority. Conversely, in Russia, authorities have predominantly utilized private property as a tool for governance. During the 19th century, Russian liberals did not view property rights as a civil cause deserving of defense. Property was closely linked to serfdom, and even after the emancipation of the serfs, the institution of property continued to be perceived as a symbol of backward aristocracy and oppressive government. It was viewed as something that needed to be eradicated, and indeed, it was dismantled in 1917.

Ironically, it was the Soviet Union that, with the introduction of mass housing in the 1960s, gave the concept of private ownership a positive reputation. Following forced collectivization and mass urbanization, individuals sought personal space. The collapse of Soviet ideology paved the way for property to be recognized as property, although not all properties were equal. One could own a flat, but not an oil company, which could be legally recognized as property but lacked tangible existence. Consequently, most Russian entrepreneurs register their businesses in offshore jurisdictions and park their wealth abroad.

This novel and groundbreaking perspective on Russian history holds immense interest for anyone seeking to comprehend Russia in the present day.

Weight: 380g
Dimension: 227 x 152 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509527014