The non-market aspect of the economy of the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

The purpose of the article is a scientific trial of a description of the economy of the Republic of Moldova, operating mainly in the area subject to jurisdiction of the government in Chisinau, but also partnering with enterprises from the separatist region of Transnistria, whose participants have developed a business model based on personal relations, circumventing or violating applicable laws and using state property to generate revenues at a level that would be difficult to achieve in conditions of the rule of law, competition and market saturation with operating anticorruption services. The explanation focuses on a description of politicians and entrepreneurs Vladimir Plahotniuc and Ilan Șor, cases of leading Moldovan enterprises and the gambling industry. The challenge for the researcher is the availability of official documents and data. The analysis focuses on documents, media coverage and events that were subject of a wider public discussion. The information and opinions collected in the course of the research process allow for an attempt to assess the scale of the takeover of the Moldovan economy by certain interest groups, as well to observe actions aimed at counteracting corruption and reducing retributions of public-law liabilities.