I. A. Lavrov, O. V. Kryshtanovskaya. Elite Genesis in Russia: A Network Analysis of Geographical Mobility

https://doi.org/10.15507/2413-1407.26342.374-392
EDN: https://elibrary.ru/oxffcqISSN 2413-1407
УДК / UDC 316.35(470+571) ISSN 2587-8549

Abstract

Introduction. Geographic mobility is studied as a channel for elite genesis, i.e., the spatial movement of members of the ruling class between the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. This research is relevant given the social sciences' shift to the “mobility turn” paradigm, where mobility is viewed not as simple movement but as a system-forming principle of social organization. The goal of the study is to quantitatively assess the role of geographic mobility in maintaining the integration of political space and the legitimacy of power through a network analysis of the hierarchical role of regions as “personnel reservoirs” at the federal level.

Materials and Methods. Biographical analysis and network modeling methods were applied. Individual geographic mobility trajectories were reconstructed using the “All Elite of the Russian Federation” database, which contains information on 885 individuals holding leadership positions as of 1 January 2023. To quantitatively assess the role of regions, centrality metrics were calculated: degree centrality, closeness centrality, and betweenness centrality.

Results. It was revealed that the origins of the country's top personnel are uneven: the majority of career resources are generated in the Moscow region and St. Petersburg. Moreover, Moscow serves a dual function: it is both a starting point for training and career advancement and a major hub for the transit and circulation of personnel. An analysis of network metrics confirms Moscow's absolute dominance, monopolizing the role of central hub and interregional intermediary, creating a hyper-centralized model of elite generation. A high degree of structural asymmetry is identified, with regional centers acting as either transit hubs or peripheral sources of personnel.

Conclusion. The findings confirm the structural asymmetry of the elite formation system in Russia. Moscow functions as a universal communications hub, forming a unified mega cluster around itself. This influences the stability of the political system and the integration of political space. The results deepen our understanding of the mechanisms of elite formation and the role of geographic mobility in the reproduction of ruling elites.

Keywords: political elite, elite genesis, geographic mobility, career trajectories, hypercentralization, Russia, social mobility, network analysis, centrality

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

For citation: Lavrov I.A., Kryshtanovskaya O.V. Elite Genesis in Russia: A Network Ana­lysis of Geographical Mobility. Russian Journal of Regional Studies. 2026;34(2):374–392. https://doi.org/10.15507/2413-1407.26342.374-392

REFERENCES

1. Borzel T.A. Organizing Babylon – on the Different Conceptions of Policy Networks. Public Admi­nistration. 1998;76(2):253–273. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9299.00100

2. Thatcher M. The Development of Policy Network Analyses: From Modest Origins to Overarching Frameworks. Journal of Theoretical Politics. 1998;10(4):389–416. https://doi.org/10.1177/0951692898010004002

3. Sherstobitov A.S., Osipov A.V., Zaripov N.A. The Issues and Outlook of the Network Approach
to Policy Analysis: Development of the Theory and Methods or the Frustrated Search for the “Golden Calf”? Political Science. 2021;(4):60–91. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://doi.org/10.31249/poln/2021.04.03

4. Ivanov Ye.A., Melnikov K.V., Petrov N.V. Informal Structure of the Elite Space in Russia. Evidence from Network Analysis. The Journal оf Political Theory, Political Philosophy аnd Sociology оf Politics Politeia. 2022;(1):72–91. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://doi.org/10.30570/2078-5089-2022-104-1-72-91

5. Melnikov K.V. Clientelism and Informal Networks of Regional Elites in Russia: Network Analysis of the Case of Sverdlovsk Oblast. Polis. Political Studies. 2021;(6):171–188. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://doi.org/10.17976/jpps/2021.06.12

6. Melnikov K.V. Bureaucratic Patronage and Patterns of Administrative Recruitment of Regional Elites in Russia: Comparative Network Analysis. Political Science. 2021;(4):210–238. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://doi.org/10.31249/poln/2021.04.09

7. Fedoseikin D.I. Network Configuration оf the Political Elite in the Integration оf Russia’s New Regions: The Cases оf Donetsk People’s Republic аnd Kherson Oblast. Political Science. 2025;(3):299–320. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://doi.org/10.31249/poln/2025.03.13

8. Gaivoronsky Yu.O., Balandin Yu.A. Recruitment of the Governor’s Corps in Contemporary Russia: Evolution оf Patronal Networks (2017–2021). The Journal оf Political Theory, Political Philo­sophy аnd Sociology оf Politics Politeia. 2022;(4):146–167. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://doi.org/10.30570/2078-5089-2022-107-4-146-167

9. Sherstobitov A.S., Begar E.V., Gorohov N.M., Dmitrieva V.D., Dybkina A.N., Eremin D.N., at al. The Role of Regional Compatriotship in Recruitment of Administrative Elites: The Potential of Network Analysis for Study of Elites in Russia. RUDN Journal of Public Administration. 2020;7(2):99–108. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://doi.org/10.22363/2312-8313-2020-7-2-99-108

10. Pomiguev I.A., Fomin I.V., Maltsev A.M. Network Approach in Legislative Studies: Methodological Prospects for Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Parliamentary Activity. Political Science. 2021;(4):31–59. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://doi.org/10.31249/poln/2021.04.02

11. Tev D.B. Federal Administrative Elite of Russia: Features of Reproduction of Career Characte­ristics. Sociological Science and Social Practice. 2025;13(2):67–89. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://doi.org/10.19181/snsp.2025.13.2.4

12. Bystrova A.S. Regional Officials and Politicians of the Russian Federation: A Comparative Analysis of Careers. Power and Elites. 2022;9(2):122–145. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://doi.org/10.31119/pe.2022.9.2.5

13. Tev D.B. Regional Administrative Elite: Socio-Professional Sources of Recruitment and Careers.
Power and Elites. 2022;9(2):146–171. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://doi.org/10.31119/pe.2022.9.2.6

14. Duka A.V. Mobility and Endogeneity of Regional Political and Administrative Elites. Power and Elites. 2021;8(1):66–99. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://doi.org/10.31119/pe.2021.8.1.3

15. Flyagin A.M. How the Portrait of the Russian Governors Has Changed: Analyzing Biographies of the Heads оf Russian Regions. 1991–2019. Bulletin of Perm University. Political Science. 2020;14(1):29–39. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://doi.org/10.17072/2218-1067-2020-1-29-39

16. Palitay I.S. Modern Russian Political Elite: Status-Role Analysis of Generations. Russian Foundation for Basic Research Journal. Humanities аnd Social Sciences. 2020;(5):105–116. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://elibrary.ru/duqlgu

About the authors:

Ivan A. Lavrov, Cand.Sci. (Sociol.), Senior Researcher, Research Center for Digital Sociology “Yadov Center”, Russian State University for the Humanities (6 Miusskaya Square, Bldg. 6, Moscow 25047, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3567-4502,
Researcher ID: ACU-0617-2022, Scopus ID: 57554381900, SPIN: 7078-1189, lavrov.sociology@gmail.com

Olga V. Kryshtanovskaya, Dr.Sci. (Sociol.), Director of Research Center for Digital Sociology “Yadov Center”, Russian State University for the Humanities (6 Miusskaya Square, Bldg. 6, Moscow 25047, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5278-0940, Researcher ID: GLQ-7604-2022, Scopus ID: 7801579339, SPIN-code: 5881-9789, olgakrysht@yandex.ru

Contribution of the authors:

I. A. Lavrov – investigation; writing – original draft preparation.

O. V. Kryshtanovskaya – project administration; writing – review аnd editing.

Availability of data and materials. The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the authors on reasonable request.

The authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Submitted 16.11.2025; revised 23.01.2026; accepted 10.02.2026.