Anatoly Chubais Quotes

Powerful Anatoly Chubais for Daily Growth

About Anatoly Chubais

Anatoly Chubais (born June 14, 1955) is a renowned Russian economist, politician, and inventor, best known as the architect of Russia's privatization program during Boris Yeltsin's presidency. Born in Moscow, he showed early academic prowess, graduating from Moscow State University with honors in physics before pursuing a Ph.D. in theoretical physics at the Lebedev Physical Institute. Chubais' political career began in 1989 when he joined the Democratic Russia movement, one of the first democratic organizations to emerge during the late Soviet era. His influence grew significantly under Boris Yeltsin's presidency, where he served as the First Deputy Prime Minister from 1992 to 1996 and chaired the State Commission for the Implementation of Reforms to Support New Technologies and Small Businesses (GKTP), popularly known as the "Blue Chains" program. During his tenure, Chubais led Russia's ambitious privatization efforts, a controversial reform that transformed state-owned enterprises into private businesses. While criticized by some for perceived unfairness and corruption, the program played a crucial role in transitioning the Soviet economy to a market-based one. In 1996, Chubais co-founded RUSNANO, a venture capital fund focused on nanotechnology, biotechnology, and other high-tech industries. As its CEO, he aimed to drive economic growth and innovation in Russia. His political career continued, serving as the Minister for Economic Development and Trade from 1998 to 2000, and a member of the State Duma (the Russian parliament) from 2003 to 2016. Anatoly Chubais' contributions to Russia's economic transition, particularly his role in privatization and innovation promotion, have earned him both praise and criticism. He remains a significant figure in Russian politics and economics, continuing to shape the country's development through his work at RUSNANO.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The market is a very good servant but a bad master."

This quote by Anatoly Chubais emphasizes that while markets can provide significant economic benefits through competition, efficiency, and innovation, they should not be treated as an unquestionable authority. The market, being amoral, does not inherently care for social justice, environmental sustainability, or human welfare; it merely responds to supply and demand. Over-reliance on the market can lead to exploitation, inequality, and the degradation of resources. Therefore, it is crucial for society to establish a balance where markets serve our needs, but we do not become enslaved by their rules and demands.


"To become a reformer, you need to be at least 70 percent crazy and 30 percent tactical genius."

This quote suggests that being a reformer requires a unique combination of qualities - a significant degree of unconventional thinking (70% "crazy") and strategic acumen (30% "tactical genius"). The "craziness" refers to the willingness to challenge established norms, think outside the box, and propose innovative solutions. The tactical genius represents the ability to execute these reforms effectively and navigate complex political landscapes, ensuring their success. In essence, Anatoly Chubais is implying that true reformers possess a balance of bold vision and practical wisdom.


"If we do not take risks, nothing will happen."

This quote by Anatoly Chubais emphasizes the importance of taking calculated risks in life and in business. It suggests that without the willingness to step out of one's comfort zone and venture into the unknown, there is little possibility for change or progress. In essence, it encourages individuals to take action, seize opportunities, and drive innovation, as these actions can lead to significant outcomes.


"A society that lacks hope is a society that will die."

This quote underscores the crucial role of optimism and hope in preserving a society. A hopeful society, one that perceives a better future, is more likely to thrive as it encourages individuals to participate actively in improving their communities. Lack of hope can lead to social stagnation or decay, as people lose motivation to contribute when they feel there's no prospect for change or progress. Thus, fostering hope and optimism are essential to maintaining a vibrant, resilient society.


"The most important thing in any revolution is not the final aim, but the change of people's consciousness."

This quote by Anatoly Chubais emphasizes that the true essence of any revolution lies not solely in achieving a specific goal or objective, but primarily in transforming the collective consciousness of the people involved. The shift in perception, values, and mindset is what drives revolutions and fosters long-lasting change. It suggests that even if the final aim of a revolution isn't fully realized, the evolution of thought it sparks remains significant and has far-reaching consequences for future generations.


There was no doubt that sooner or later we will fight. But we will fight not in the way of the dissidents' protests. We understood that we needed to be as professional as possible.

- Anatoly Chubais

Will, Needed, Sooner, Protests

I joined the city government, and we start to operate as the bureaucrats on the local level, so we were the only ones in the whole Russian team who were experienced in practical bureaucratic management in the complicated condition of 1990.

- Anatoly Chubais

City, Local, Whole, Local Level

Each university should have a Young Scholars' Committee. I became the chairman of this Committee, and immediately it was permitted to have this plan officially adopted.

- Anatoly Chubais

Committee, Young, Became, Permitted

I am joining the government not from the academic position but from St. Petersburg city council.

- Anatoly Chubais

City, Joining, Am, City Council

I'm communicating with the directors of the Soviet companies, and I see that it is wrong, but when I go to the official discussions, they discuss we should change the color of the walls.

- Anatoly Chubais

Change, Color, Directors, Discuss

These guys were the real owners of the country, and for them to discuss with this young guy who becomes a member of the government was absolutely unacceptable.

- Anatoly Chubais

Young, Country, Unacceptable, Discuss

I don't think Russia will follow the United States's way. I don't think Russia will follow the French way. I'm sure Russia will find its own way.

- Anatoly Chubais

Think, Will, Sure, French

Bill Gates finds people in Russia to hire them to Microsoft. That's the Russian interest in this process.

- Anatoly Chubais

Process, Hire, Russian, None

Money is the kind of instrument which is very speedily produced.

- Anatoly Chubais

Money, Very, Which, Produced

During the election in 1989, there was the first Soviet election with alternative candidates to local government. I myself arranged special training for them.

- Anatoly Chubais

Myself, Training, Election, Local Government

If I just produce the transparent ideal accepted by the Western experts, a process of privatization which will be very good but never happen, that means nothing.

- Anatoly Chubais

Happen, Very, Which, Experts

There are no two countries with the same style of economic mechanism, with the same capitalism.

- Anatoly Chubais

Style, Capitalism, Same, Mechanism

For the producers, there was no reason to produce. You get money, but you couldn't use this money. For consumers, you could have money, but you have no way to use it because you go to the shop and see nothing.

- Anatoly Chubais

Reason, Use, Shop, Producers

Russia should support globalization. The Internet can develop in Russia in a very speedy way.

- Anatoly Chubais

Russia, Very, Speedy, Globalization

The red directors were one of the main political forces. Another force was the former Soviet ministers who lost everything because of the transformation of the Soviet Union to Russia.

- Anatoly Chubais

Soviet Union, Directors, Ministers

Killing the private property-that was the center of the Marxist economy and Marxist ideology. That was the center of the Lenin ideology.

- Anatoly Chubais

Center, Private, Ideology, Marxist

In 1995 the whole political situation was very complicated. I was the first deputy prime minister, and at the same time I had very low influence in the government.

- Anatoly Chubais

Prime, Very, Minister, Deputy

The directors thought, They understand nothing in the real economy, in real life. They read some stupid books, and they came from the moon to the earth, and maybe in one month they will disappear.

- Anatoly Chubais

Stupid, Some, Read, Real Life

The diversification of the people's demand could not be followed by the state apparatus.

- Anatoly Chubais

Could, Apparatus, State, Diversification

It was almost forbidden in the Soviet Union to study the New Economic Policy.

- Anatoly Chubais

New, Study, Soviet Union, Economic Policy

Private property is a very fundamental and very long-term institution.

- Anatoly Chubais

Private Property, Very, Institution

You need to find somebody who will speak the same language. We understand that we couldn't have any kind of discussion without permission, without a legal framework behind it.

- Anatoly Chubais

Behind, Will, Need, Permission

There is a state that is able to understand the demand in the economy. That state should use prices as an instrument for implementation of this understanding.

- Anatoly Chubais

Implementation, Able, Use, Prices

For the whole of Western Europe, I know the business community quite good.

- Anatoly Chubais

Business, Know, Western Europe

You're never able to please everybody, especially when you're transforming a country like Russia.

- Anatoly Chubais

Never, Country, Everybody, Transforming

The kind of capitalism I hate most is crony capitalism, the friends who decide. These are things which should be killed in Russia.

- Anatoly Chubais

Kind, Decide, Which, Russia

The Bolsheviks started not just on the killing of private property; they were trying to abolish money itself.

- Anatoly Chubais

Private, Private Property, Property

There was the scientific and technical progress which couldn't be predicted by the state.

- Anatoly Chubais

Progress, Technical, Which, Scientific

I went to government for making these changes. I remember a number of guys among these important figures.

- Anatoly Chubais

Changes, I Remember, Making, Figures

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