Experience in Implementing Social Benefits Monetization Reform in Russia; Literature Review
The present paper is an integral part of the "Preparation of the strategy for social benefits monetization reform in Ukraine" project, co-financed by the 2008 Polish aid programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland and carried out by CASE in 2008. The paper was prepared as background material aimed at obtaining a better understanding of the main bottlenecks in reforming a vast in-kind benefits system typical for many countries of the Former Soviet Union (FSU). The paper focuses on the following issues: aims and motives of monetization reforms in Russia; expected outcomes of the reform; description of the implementation process; changes of the roles of various actors and agencies; compensation of housing and communal services (HCS) expenses in the course of HCS and monetization reforms; and the major gains and failures of the reform. The paper concludes with lessons that can be derived from the Russian monetization experience for the planned Ukrainian monetization reform. The paper is based on extensive research on the monetization reform in Russia and literature published by leading Russian independent research centers including the Independent Institute for Social Policy (IISP), the Institute for Urban Economics, the Centre for Economic and Financial studies (CEFIR), and the Institute for the Economy in Transition (IET).
Framing a welfare reform: the social benefits reform in Russia and Kazakhstan
ABSTRACT This article addresses the question of why some non-democratic governments are more successful than others at reforming their welfare institutions. Using the example of the Russian and Kazakhstani social benefits reform, the author will illustrate that in modern non-democratic regimes the importance of framing and effective communication with the public for the purpose of effective policymaking and regime legitimization is equal to, if not greater than, in established democracies. The successful implementation of the Kazakhstani social benefits reform, as opposed to Russia’s protracted experience with reforming its social benefits system, was determined not only by the configuration of various institutional and political factors, but also the skilful actions of the Kazakhstani authorities, who used effective communication strategies and framing techniques that resonated with the public and generated broad support for reform. Based on extensive research conducted in Russia and Kazakhstan in 2006–2010 as part of the author's doctoral dissertation at the University of Toronto, this paper enhances our understanding of political and public policy processes in transitional and non-democratic contexts and adds important details to our understanding of how post-Soviet autocrats run their countries and what methods they use to stay in power, manage their state affairs, and avoid public dissatisfaction.
The Handbook of Nanotechnology: Business, Policy, and Intellectual Property Law
Acknowledgments. Foreword. Introduction. Part I: Introduction to Nanotechnology. Chapter 1: Understanding Nanotechnology. Chapter 2: The Industrial Structure Giving Rise to Nanotechnology. Part II: Nanotechnology Policy and Regulation. Chapter 3: Societal and Ethical Implications. Chapter 4: Environmental Regulation. Chapter 5: The Patent and Trademark Office. Chapter 6: FDA Regulation. Chapter 7: National Security and Export Controls. Chapter 8: Federal Funding. Chapter 9: Conclusions. Part III: Nanotechnology Business. Chapter 10: Starting a Nanotech Company. Chapter 11: Business Plans and Strategy. Chapter 12: Early Stage Financing. Chapter 13: Intellectual Property. Chapter 14: Corporate Partnering and Globalization. Chapter 15: Consolidation and Standardization. Chapter 16: Exit Opportunities. Chapter 17: Conclusions. Notes. About the Authors. Index.