The faculty of Higher School of Economics is on its way toward becoming world class
Jordan Gans-Morse, Assistant Professor of Department of Political Science (Northwestern University, USA) spoke about his scientific work and life in Russia.
Jordan Gans-Morse, Assistant Professor of Department of Political Science (Northwestern University, USA) spoke about his scientific work and life in Russia.
- Why did you choose post-Soviet region as a subject of your research and the Higher School of Economics as one of the place for supporting of your research?
- I have been interested in Russia since high school. I originally intended to study international relations in university, and expertise in Russia seemed like it would be of use. I was also intrigued on a personal level by Russia’s history, language, and literature, as well as by the opportunity to see firsthand the country that had been the West’s Cold War antagonist for so many years. Over time, my interests evolved from international relations toward comparative politics, with a specific emphasis on the questions about democracy and authoritarianism, the origins of market economies, and the politics of economic development. Russia continues to be of relevance to all of these debates, which has kept me coming back for now more than 15 years.
I choose to work with the Higher School of Economics whenever possible because there are few institutions like it in Russia. The faculty is on its way toward becoming world class. The administration is willing to help visiting researchers cut through the inevitable red tape one faces when conducting research in Russia. And I share a great deal of overlapping interests with researchers at institutes such as the International Center for the Study of Institutions and Development, led by Andrei Aleksandrovich Yakovlev.
- What is currently the subject of your research?
- I currently am completing a book tentatively titled “Violence, Law, and Property Rights in Contemporary Russia.” The book looks at the evolution of property rights disputes in Russia over the past 20 years. I begin with the “banditskiy” epoch of the 1990s, analyze the role of law enforcement and other government officials in property security, and examine firms’ use of the formal legal system in today’s Russia – which is much more prevalent than many people think. I then consider the various factors that have contributed to this evolution.
- Why did you choose these topics?
- Property rights are essential for economic development. About this researchers and policymakers largely agree. But why property rights are secure in some countries and not others remains a mystery. Given the rapid changes in Russia’s political economy over the last two decades, the country provides an opportunity to gain insights on institutional change and development as it occurs in real time.
- What kind of research do you plan to carry out in the future?
- My next project, which is just getting under way, will continue to look at property security, but from the perspective of government officials. I am seeking to understand more about the backgrounds, political values, and other attributes of those who serve in various state institutions that interact with firms on a regular basis.
- As I know you have been learning the Russian language for many years. What practical advice can you give to your colleges so that they can meet with success in their linguistic endeavors?
- I wish I had some! For me, Russian language has always been a challenge. For the most part, there is no special secret. I just kept coming back and stubbornly persevering until I more or less could get by in Russian. The one thing I would say is that time in the provinces is invaluable. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, it’s easy to end up speaking English on a regular basis. In the provinces, one is forced to learn the language. Plus, seeing the provinces is essential for someone trying to get to know Russia.
- Have Russia or post-Soviet area any specific features in scientific sphere that would distinguish this region from other where you make your research?
- Russia is historically a world power, which means that the aspirations of its leaders and of its people are relatively unique. In this respect I see many similarities between the United States and Russia.
- Do you have practical advice for foreign colleagues who are going to do research in Russia for the first time?
- General advice is tough because every research project is different. What I would say, however, is don’t get hung up trying to figure out the “perfect” research project before you arrive. Get on the ground and start conducting interviews or digging into archives. The project will rapidly evolve and will take on a direction of its own, and most likely a direction that differs from what you initially imagined. This is true to some extent for any type of political science fieldwork. But I believe it is especially true for Russia. No matter how many times I return, each time I’m surprised by how much the reality differs from my expectations.