Globalisation and post-socialist development: The Tatarstan variety of capitalism

Russia's regions are attempting to form meaningful democratic systems, free markets and profitable industrial firms. This article, based on qualitative interviewing with local and foreign economic actors in the Republic of Tatarstan in central Russia, argues that while there are strong desires for globalisation to happen, the goal of significant integration into the world market is far from being attained. In this difficult scenario the local state, far from being a failed state', instead takes on a central role in determining the present and future shape of this developing region. Implications for globalisation theory are considered in the conclusion. © 2004 Centre for Research into Post-Communist Economies.