The patterns of political career movements in the Russian Federation: the case of regional governors, 1991–2021

Abstract

This article examines the patterns of political career movements in the Russian Federation using the sample of all 393 governors from 1991 until 2021. The results show that during the period of regionalization (1991–1999), the dominant pattern of career movements was an alternative one, with politicians rarely moving across levels. The only exception to this rule were ethnic republics, which attracted politicians with political experience at various levels (i.e. with an integrated pattern of career movements). The period of re-centralization (since 2000) has changed the patterns of careers. Contrary to the expectations of the literature on political careers, an integrated pattern of career movements prevails rather than a unidirectional one (i.e. when politicians move from the regional to the national level). I posit two important factors for this development: the creation of a dominant party, United Russia, and the establishment of mechanisms for enforcing governors' accountability to the president.