Talk:Blat (Russia)

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I'm curious as to whether blat persists in the former Soviet states. Can anyone update the article to comment? Ukslim 13:49, 9 January 2007 (UTC)

"Blat" exists all over the world, only called "good connections" or "backstairs" or else. I see no particular reason for this article either. `'mikka 17:07, 9 January 2007 (UTC)

While the term "blat" originally meant criminal behavior, during the soviet era it took on a different meaning. It was kind of a social agreement between friends, neighbors, and family that allowed for people to have the things that they felt they needed in order to live comfortably (or as comfortable as they could). Most of the time it was used to acquire food items that were in limited supply without standing in lines, clothes, housing, or to get entertainment items that were normally shared with family and friends. It was seen as "corruption" only in an official capacity, and people in the "party" who didn't use blat were looked down upon by their peers. In fact the use of blat grew during the Stalin era and continued up until the fall of the communist system. It was when the shortages were seen to be over, did the definition of blat start to take on its connotations of being criminal again. A good academic source to read on this topic is a book called "Russia's Economy of Favours: Blat, Networking and informal exchange" by Alena V. Ledeneva. It is a little long winded in spots, but it is still worth taking a look at. archaeo12 03:01, 27 March 2007