Friends with benefits: Exploring donors of United Russia

Why do private companies contribute to the ruling party in an authoritarian regime? While part of the motivation may align with democratic logic, involving both ideological and opportunistic strategies of support, non-democratic regimes introduce additional factors into this dynamic. This results in a more direct and widespread manifestation of corruption, particularly in sectors of specific interest to autocrats. This paper delves into the donations made by private companies to United Russia party from 2011 to 2022. Using event study models, it presents evidence suggesting that a one-time contribution to United Russia by major business entities increases the value of contracts awarded to the company, particularly in two economic sectors. In contrast, regular contributions do not have the same significant impact on returns from public procurement contracts, differentiating ideological supporters from opportunistic ones.