The siloviki and autocracy in Russia: Are they the source

A graduate student specializing in security issues in Eurasia analyzes the composition of top positions in Russian politics from 2001-2011, looking for the representation of a particular section of the Russian elite, the siloviki, and their influence upon the development of autocracy in Russia. The siloviki faction is composed of government officials with a background in the military or security services. This study was conducted on the basis of contemporary academic and media analyses of the Putin and Medvedev administrations. Also examined is elite decision-making and inter-factional politics within the Kremlin.