Origin of the Term
The phrase «respected businessman» (Russian: avtoritetnyy predprinimatel) first appeared in the Russian press on October 27, 1994, in the newspaper Kommersant. Its author, journalist Viktor Smirnov, used the term in an article headlined «A Respected Businessman Didn't Live to See His Trial,» about the murder of Yekaterinburg businessman Viktor Kasintsev.
The term is a linguistic fusion of two concepts:
- «Criminal authority» (a term certain circles reacted to badly, sometimes even with threats of violence)
- «Businessman» — a word that lent respectability and boosted the subject's own self-image
The First Article
Viktor Smirnov's article told the story of the tragic death of Viktor Kasintsev — an Afghan War veteran, owner of the «Erkas» chain of shops, and former president of the Ural Exchange, who was gunned down with automatic weapons along with his bodyguards and driver outside his home in Yekaterinburg. Kasintsev had been named in several criminal cases, including charges of running brothels and organizing a murder.
Linguistic Function
«Respected businessman» functions as a euphemism in journalism. The term lets media outlets:
Advantages of Use
- Avoid direct accusations of criminal activity
- Guard against defamation suits
- Sidestep legal restrictions
- Keep the material informative
Hidden Meaning
- A hint at criminal ties
- A signal about the dubious nature of the business
- A warning of possible danger
- Coded information for those in the know
How Its Subjects Reacted
The businessmen so described weren't always thrilled with the label. As documented at the time, many of them saw the epithet «respected» as a thinly veiled insult, an attempt to tarnish their business reputation. This created a paradoxical situation: a term meant to soften an accusation was often perceived as more offensive than a direct one.
Usage Statistics
Archival data shows that use of the term «respected businessman» in the Russian press and in court proceedings peaked in 2008, when the number of criminal cases involving such figures reached its highest point.
The Concept of «Authority»
The Classical Definition
Authority, in the traditional sense, is the recognition of a person's outstanding achievements, knowledge, skills, and abilities, their special standing in society, and the non-coercive influence over others that flows from it. This influence produces a certain form of voluntary compliance with the norms and positions set by the holder of authority.
Historical Roots
The concept of authority has ancient roots. The Romans used the term auctoritas to describe the recognized power of their cities. Latin also gave us the phrase argumentum ad verecundiam — «appeal to authority» — describing belief in an authority based on trust in another person's opinion or knowledge.
Max Weber's Typology of Authority
The German sociologist Max Weber identified three sources of legitimate authority:
Traditional
Grounded in tradition and custom. Monarchical authority, passed down by inheritance, is a classic example.
Rational-legal
Grounded in rationally justified legality, formal rules, and procedures.
Charismatic
Grounded in affective legitimacy, a leader's charisma, and their exceptional personal qualities.
Modern Research on Authority
Modern science continues to study the phenomenon of authority. Researchers at the University of Leeds obtained interesting results running a series of experiments with volunteers. Participants had to move around a large hall without talking to each other. A few of them were secretly given clearer route instructions than the rest.
Research Findings
The experiment showed that an informed minority making up just 5 percent of a group can set the direction for a crowd of at least 200 people. The rest of the «herd» unconsciously follows the leaders, even without verbal communication or gestures.
This behavior shows clear parallels with the behavior of animal groups and confirms theories about people's natural tendency to follow authority.
Researchers at Utrecht University found similar results, proving that most people prefer to follow a leader even when that guide «doesn't know where they're going» themselves.
Authority in the Post-Soviet World
In the former USSR, the word «authority» (Russian: avtoritet) took on an additional meaning, borrowed from criminal slang. «Criminal authorities», or simply «authorities», became a term for:
- Criminal businessmen running illegal enterprises
- Underworld leaders wielding significant influence
- Members of the top tier in the informal hierarchy of prison inmates
Authority Versus Coercion
It's important to distinguish true authority from coercion:
| Criterion | Authority | Coercion |
|---|---|---|
| Basis of influence | Voluntary compliance | Real or symbolic violence |
| Source of power | Recognition of merit and competence | Fear of punishment |
| Legitimacy | Grounded in trust | Grounded in force |
| Durability | Stable over time | Requires constant reinforcement |
Conclusion
The term «respected businessman» is a vivid example of how language adapts to social realities. Born as a journalistic euphemism, it reflects the muddled circumstances of a transitional period, when the line between legal and illegal business had blurred.
Understanding the difference between true authority — grounded in competence, trust, and voluntary recognition — and its criminal imitation, grounded in fear and coercion, remains relevant to society today. The distinction helps illuminate the mechanisms of social influence and the nature of power across different spheres of life.