Economic disengagement in state-society relations in Russia analysis of a household survey

摘要

This paper offers a quantitative analysis of factors influencing economic disengagement in state-society relations in Russia. Referring to the concept of disengagement from the state and the notion of the syndrome of withdrawal, it examines the relationship between economic disengagement and individual, household, and regional-level characteristics. Economic disengagement is measured by means of a composite index constructed out of several elements comprising the phenomenon. Through a multilevel regression analysis of Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey of the Higher School of Economics data, the study demonstrates, inter alia, that representatives of minority ethnic groups are on average more economically disengaged than representatives of Russian and titular ethnic groups. Furthermore, the analysis shows that this association holds also when controlling for migration status which suggests that ethnic identity per se has an effect on economic disengagement. Ethnic discrimination toward the other group in access to state resources and a more proactive position taken by representatives of the minority groups might be causal factors in this respect. Surprisingly, long-time residence enhances economic disengagement.