Paradoxes of Agency: Democracy and Welfare in Russia

While Russia’s leaders claim to have facilitated a “miracle” in welfare provision, an examination of the budget numbers shows that overall welfare spending has not increased as much as general budget outlays. Because there is little room for NGO or trade union involvement in decision-making, policies support state interests rather than those of the broader society. For example, Russian leaders have concentrated resources on raising the birthrate and increasing pensions rather than addressing the pressing issue of high male mortality. Paradoxically, however, in some cases, NGOs initiate the provision of new kinds of services, such as for AIDS patients, which are then taken over by the state. Federalism is important since there is wide variation across regions in social welfare provision. Ultimately, Russia’s welfare policies are neither purely statist nor neo-liberal since the state is expanding its role in some areas, while shedding responsibilities in others.