It is not in the Kremlin elite’s interest for Russia to become governed by the rule of law, as Westerners fondly hope that it will be; instead, Kremlin insiders profit from the fact that they – and they alone – can earn vast fortunes in Russia, and export that money to safety in the West. Chaos and mismanagement not only allow them to earn further fortunes, but also provide them with the means to protect themselves and their friends from retribution.
