The Russian Mafia: Private Protection in a New Market Economy
The Russian Mafia: Private Protection in a New Market Economy examines how protection and property rights developed during Russia’s transition to a market economy. Its comparative approach and reported interviews, police operations and archival documents suit readers seeking a research-based account rather than a general overview of organised crime.
At a glance
- Explores the Russian Mafia in the context of the transition to a market economy, privatisation of protection and corruption.
- Compares state protection of property and contracts with services offered by private security firms, ethnic crime groups, Cossacks and Mafia groups.
- The description cites interviews with victims, criminals and officials, undercover police operations and documents from Gulag archives.
- Includes comparisons with the Japanese Yakuza, Sicilian Cosa Nostra, American-Italian Mafia and Hong Kong Triads.
Reference price: $273.00
Price checked: 13 Nov 2026
View offerAhead of Black FridayExplore the selectionPros and cons
Pros
- Provides a focused study connecting organised crime to protection, property rights and state capacity.
- The stated research material spans interviews, police operations and archival documents.
- Comparative references place the Russian case alongside several other organised crime groups.
Technical specifications
9 specifications| Publisher | Oxford University Press UK |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 1 July 2001 |
| Edition | 1st |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 308 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 019829736X |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0198297369 |
| Weight listed | 590 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 2.29 x 22.86 x 15.49 cm |
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers researching post-Soviet Russia, organised crime or the political economy of protection.
- Students and researchers interested in property rights, corruption and state capacity.
- Readers looking for comparative discussion of Mafia groups across countries.
Less suited to
- Readers seeking a current account of Russian organised crime, as the listed publication date is 2001.
- Readers after a general introduction without a research-focused or comparative approach.
Frequently asked questions
What does the book examine?
It considers the emergence of the Russian Mafia during the transition to a market economy, including protection, property rights and corruption.
What research does the description say the book draws on?
The listing describes interviews with victims, criminals and officials, undercover police operations and documents from Gulag archives.
Does it compare Russian organised crime with groups elsewhere?
Yes. The description mentions the Japanese Yakuza, Sicilian Cosa Nostra, American-Italian Mafia and Hong Kong Triads.
How long is the listed edition?
The supplied product details list a print length of 308 pages.
