Recruitment Channels of the Highest Administrative Elite of Russia

Abstract

Elites have traditionally played a significant role in the development of society and the state, which was recognised by researchers regardless of their shared political views and preferences regarding political systems . In this regard, the author paid particular attention to the recruitment of elites, their renewal, the mechanisms of their formation . In the context of the Russian political system, where all significant changes are traditionally implemented “from the top”, this issue is particularly relevant . Against the background of the ineffectiveness of democratic mechanisms designed to form vertical channels of elite renewal, the responsibility for maintaining its viability and efficiency falls on the Russian elite itself . This study examines the channels of recruitment of the highest administrative elite . Based on the results of their research, the author concluded there exists the predominance of the bureaucratic channel of recruitment, namely the experience of working in a senior position in public authorities as the primary way of forming the Russian administrative elite . The author has drawn attention to the prevalence of managerial experience in a commercial or state-owned company . It is particularly pronounced in government agencies that closely interact with business in the framework of their activities . Besides, there is an extremely low prevalence among the representatives of the highest administrative elite of winners of management competitions and graduates of management reserve training programs, which indicates a slight impact at present of new recruitment mechanisms on the formation of the highest layer of managers in Russia .