The Russian Mafia: Protectionism in the New Capitalist Russia The Russian Mafia has always exercised an important role in the Russian economy. The contemporary mafiosi are descendents of the seventeenth Century highwaymen and Cossack robbers. These men occasionally murdered families prior to raids preventing them from being captured. The Russia mafiosi made a point to remain aloof from the state. Mob men were actually spurned when returning home from fighting in the Great Patriotic War. …showed first 75 words of 2004 total…

…showed last 75 words of 2004 total…bleak picture of the Russian economy; yet, there is hope for change. Many small companies do not have the luxury of making drastic changes; yet, efforts are being made to stop the mafia or at least cease the growth of it on the side of the government and larger businesses. Enterprise are creating their own company security and stopping protection payments. Things will not change overnight, but Russia can and slowly is moving toward normalcy.