Partial state capture by a single oligarchic group: The Gorilla Case in Slovakia

Abstract

The article discusses the Gorilla case, an officially still-contested partial state capture by a single local oligarchic group, in line with the (partial) Elite Cartels corruption pattern in Slovakia. Due to the manner in which evidence, although considered unofficial, was made available, this case illustrates secret political and business processes during partial state capture. The initial absence of the case in public, political, and academic discourses, suggests that state capture can be present and operate undetected for a long time. This study also shows that in-depth analysis of the Gorilla case was avoided by both domestic and international political scientists, despite its paramount practical and theoretical importance. This, in turn, reflects a methodological capture of political science. Consequently, this article disentangles the complexities of the Gorilla case and lays down the foundation for further studies. Specifically, it highlights the need for more careful research, terminological precision in both theorybuilding and empirical findings on state and media capture based on case studies, as well as reassessment of the methodology of political sciences used in these research areas.

Towards conservatism? Party politics in Slovakia at the end of the 2010s

“…First, at the beginning of 2012 the so-called Gorilla dossier was anonymously published online. It revealed several relationships between suspicious and unscrupulous businessmen and top politicians (Školkay 2018). This led (1) to mass civic protests, which were concentrated in the capital city of Bratislava; (2) to the gradual extinction of the then-leading centre–right political party, the Slovak Democratic and Christian Union—Democratic Party (Slovenská demokratická a kresťanská únia – Demokratická strana; SDKÚ–DS) of former Prime Minister Mikuláš Dzurinda; (3) to the fall of the centre–right cabinet led by Iveta Radičová (of SDKÚ–DS); and (4) to snap general elections in March 2012.…”

Political Decentralization and the Emergence of the Local State Capture: Lessons from Bengkulu, Indonesia

“…Politicians and businesspeople created and developed captive state mechanisms. They used bribery to obtain project contracts, purchase goods, and gain political influence (Hoffmann et al, 2017;Školkay, 2018;Stoyanov, 2018). The phenomenon of state capture in African countries seems to be systematized and institutionalized Madonsela, 2019;Muguzi, 2020;Mulenga & Mulenga, 2018;Rijkers et al, 2014).…”

“…Some began discussing state capture in the 1990s (Hellman, J.S; Jones, G; Schankerman, M; Kaufmann, 2000; Innes, 2014Innes, , 2016Tudoroiu, 2014) Recent research Madonsela, 2019;Mamokhere, 2020;Muguzi, 2020;Mulenga & Mulenga, 2018) added to our understanding of state capture in Africa. State capture research has also blossomed in eastern European nations that have experienced political and democratic transitions in the last three decades Hoffmann et al, 2017;Pavlović, 2021;Školkay, 2018;Stoyanov, 2018).…”