THE POLITICS FIELD: THE RUSSIAN ELITE CAREER MODELS

Abstract

Introduction. This article provides a comprehensive study of the phenomenon of political professionalization in contemporary Russia. The central issue of the study is the nature of political professionalism: what constitutes its essence and how the elite's prior professional experience shapes the current public policy, forming the specific competencies and habits of managers.

Materials and methods. The methodological basis of the study is a quantitative analysis of the career trajectories of political actors. The empirical base consisted of formalized biographical data of 800 representatives of the Russian political elite at the federal, regional, and municipal levels (as of 2020).

Results. Based on a retrospective analysis of professional trajectories, four ideal-typical models of entry into politics are conceptualized: Politics as a «meta-profession»: the trajectory of experts who have reached the pinnacle of their careers and are moving into politics to apply their experience at the macro level. Politics as an «anti-profession»: the path of individuals who interrupted their upward mobility in another field and use politics as an alternative channel for social advancement. Politics as a «quasi-profession»: a model that allows combining political activity with one's core profession. Politics as a «core profession»: the careers of «systemic cadres» – bureaucrats whose careers are entirely shaped within the state apparatus.

Discussion. The results demonstrate the polymorphism of politics as a professional field, encompassing fundamentally different agents with unique sources of capital and legitimacy. The identified trend toward an increasing share of «career bureaucrats» in executive bodies, on the one hand, ensures operational efficiency and manageability, but on the other, aggravates the problem of legitimacy. The public is skeptical of the competence of officials without proven practical experience in the governed sector, creating a «legitimation gap». For the stability of the political system, mechanisms are needed to increase the transparency of selection procedures and public verification of the competencies of «system managers», as well as to harmonize systemic efficiency with the public trust.