Political Foundations of "Bad Governance" in Post-Soviet Eurasia Rethinking Research Agenda

Why are some countries governed much more poorly than one might expect judging by their degree of socio-economic development? In particular, why are most countries of post-Soviet Eurasia, according to numerous international evaluations of quality of state governance, similar to underdeveloped Third World countries and lagging behind their post-Communist counterparts in Eastern Europe? In search for answers to these questions, V.Gel'man refers to the analysis of factors and mechanisms that explain the formation of "bad governance" in post-Soviet Eurasia. The article discusses such explanations of this development as "legacy of the past", dynamics of regime changes and international influence. The author considers possible ways and means to overcome "bad governance" and provides suggestions for further research of this phenomenon.