RUSSIA AND TRANSNISTRIA IN A PATRON-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP
RUSSIA AND TRANSNISTRIA IN A PATRON-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP

Summary/Abstract: There are two analytical approaches which are usually used todescribe the relationship between Russia and de facto states inthe post-soviet space.The first one assumes that they are simply “puppets” of Russianforeign policy and their role could be neglected in general.Within a second approach it is argued that de facto states dohave their own interests but these interests are allegedly basedexclusively on smuggling activities, blackmailing theinternational community through creating insecurity.To deconstruct the relationship between Russia and Transnistriathe patron-client relationship model seems to be more suitableand analytically neutral. This model refers to the fact thatrelations between a patron and a client are usually based onreciprocity, on exchange of benefits they could deliver to eachother. The model clearly differs from a concept of dependencybecause the clients are seen as quite independent subjects.

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