Ein Rückblick auf die Korruption in Russland

Summary Empirical research, especially on sensitive topics such as corruption, has always been a challenge – and not only in Russia. Since February 24, 2022, research on corruption has become almost impossible; after three decades of courage and innovation, the topic is now on hold. Anti-corruption research is becoming “undesirable”, along with many of the organizations that are involved in such research, such as Transparency International. This paper, which was written before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, addresses the challenges of the current corruption paradigm. Using informality as an alternative approach, it focuses on two key areas of post-Soviet life where corruption is often endemic and where anti-corruption practices can best be studied: business and higher education. Russia’s history teaches us that it can be difficult to make accurate predictions, but the country remains an important subject for future research.