Virginia Postrel

Virginia Postrel is the editor of Reason, a monthly libertarian magazine. In the following viewpoint, she takes issue with the argument that market reforms in Russia have created an unbridled “gangster” capitalism wreaking havoc on the nation’s economy. Capitalism cannot be blamed for Russia’s economic problems, she argues, because the reforms Russia has enacted do not add up to a real free market economy. Instead of embracing capitalism, Russia’s government continues to stifle new businesses while propping up insolvent mining and industrial operations from the Soviet era. The result has been a sort of “pretend capitalism” that is impoverishing the nation, she concludes.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What analogy does Postrel make between Russia...