Higher Education in Russia: Elite vs Elitist?

Abstract

This article presents a comparative study of ‘elite education’ and ‘elitist education’ within the context of Russia’s political and bureaucratic sectors. The study employs a combination of university ranking systems (THE, ARWU, RAEX, Tabiturient) and biographical analyses to investigate the educational trajectories of 885 top-ranking individuals within Russia’s executive, legislative, and judicial branches as of January 2023. Findings suggest a disconnect between elite and elitist education in Russia, with no established premier university system for cultivating future elites. Non-meritocratic methods are preferred for sustaining the ruling class. Notably, the study uncovers distinct educational paths within the bureaucracy and electocracy, signifying unequal dynamics within executive and legislative branches. Key trends include the significance of acquiring a second higher degree via specialized programs, notably at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration; the influence of military and special universities for inclusion in the political elite; and the formation of patron-client relationships within the university environment. These findings emphasize the multifaceted nature of elite formation in Russia and shed light on current education strategies within the country’s political realm.