The term which can be exactly translated as "people of force" (from "force") derives from the term "structures of force" which appeared in earlier Yeltsin's era (early 1990s) to denote the military-style uniformed services including military proper police (Ministry of Interior) national security (KGB/FSB) and some other structures. These "structures of force" formed a de facto higher level inner cabinet under Yeltsin and Putin. Sometimes the term is translated as "strongman" which is not so correct. The drawback of this translation is that it obscures the particular career background of these persons as described above. Description

Siloviki hope that a common view in Russia is that they were generally non-ideological were not corrupt have a pragmatic law and order focus and have Russian national interests at heart. They pretend to be generally well-educated and bring past commercial experience to their government posts.1 Many assume that the siloviki have a natural preference for the reemergence of a strong Russian state and may be less sensitive towards certain aspects of the democratic system which in turn makes many people consider them as the pro-Chinese faction.1

The siloviki do not form a cohesive group. They do not have a single leader and there is no common articulated "silovik agenda". However according to John P. Willerton these security-intelligence officials brought the work ethic and skills - that Putin apparently favoured - to the administration.1

Senior siloviki under Putin's presidency included Sergei Ivanov Viktor Ivanov and Igor Sechin who had close working relationships with Putin and held key positions in Putin's governments. Willerton points out however that it is difficult to assess if their common security-intelligence background translates into common political preferences.1 References a b c d Willerton John (2005). "Putin and the Hegemonic Presidency". In White Gitelman Sakwa. Developments in Russian Politics. 6. Duke University Press. ISBN 0822335220.  Further reading "The making of a neo-KGB state". The Economist (The Economist Newspaper Limited). 2007-08-25. http://www.economist.com/world/displaystory.cfmstoryid9682621. Retrieved 2007-08-24.  External links William Safire on the Siloviki The Siloviki in Putin's Russia: Who They Are and What They Want Washington Quarterly Winter 2007 The Exile on Russia's brewing "Silovik war" This article related to politics in Russia is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v d e