Oligarchy as a Political Problem of Russian Postcommunism

The term "oligarchy" acquired currency in discussing the Russian political situation in the late 1990s. The oligarchy is mentioned as an essential part of almost all significant political events—whether the topic is Chernomyrdin's resignation, the actions of the Kirienko government, the miners' strikes, or the prospect of Yeltsin being a candidate in the 2000 presidential elections. The word "oligarchy" has begun to supplant its predecessor, the "nomenklatura," the term initially used out of habit to designate the new ruling stratum.