Soviet law was never known for its liberties, but in the past there were several loopholes that the risk-taking Russian could employ. Thus, there was no prohibition on an individual having a bank account abroad or owning property outside of Russia.


For whatever reasons, Russian law has now plugged these loopholes. Several regulations from late 1991 and early 1992 permit citizens to maintain bank accounts abroad only as long as they reside abroad and require them to transfer all funds in such accounts to a Russian bank upon returning home.


Similarly, one short paragraph of a regulation that itself is not lengthy prohibits citizens from owning shares or other property outside Russia.


Such restrictions are not unusual for economies fearing capital flight, but they are particularly onerous when laws and commercial practices do not provide people with ways to earn and save domestically.


The Russian government so far has adopted Soviet rules forbidding individuals to receive payment in foreign currency.


It is now legal for a Russian to have a foreign currency bank account in Russia and even to convert rubles into foreign currency in certain circumstances, but such rights are symbolic without the right to earn such currency. Land and other property laws also fail to provide Russians with clear, secure opportunities for saving.


Land ownership, other than dachas and kitchen gardens, is limited to farmers who themselves may lose their land if they use it incorrectly.


Apartments may be owned, but the state remains the largest landlord and is not always willing to sell. It also remains uncertain what obligations come with ownership.


Privatization offers people with sufficient means the opportunity to purchase enterprises or shares in them, but the privatization law requires an individual purchaser to present his tax returns to prove the legitimacy of his funds.


Employees of privatized enterprises enjoy preferences in purchasing shares and also are entitled to receive part of the proceeds from privatization.


For the general public, vouchers offer the means of participating in privatization, but the rules on how vouchers will be used are still forthcoming.


Russian law does permit individuals to start their own businesses, although these businesses also may not have bank accounts or property abroad without permission.


Symbolically, Russian law has abandoned the requirement of Soviet law that everyone must work.


Unemployment is no longer a sign of dissidence, it is a sign of the times