On August 23rd, 2023, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Russian mercenary organization, Wagner Group, died in a jet explosion, suspected to be an assassination due to his rebellious stance against Moscow. The Wagner Group, under Prigozhin’s leadership, evolved from a mere mercenary company to a major political and cultural force in Russia. This phenomenon, termed “Wagnerization,” exemplifies a trend where powerful private entities can eclipse state institutions in influence and operations. The rise of Wagner and similar entities hint at a potential future political dynamic, not just in Russia but possibly in the West.
  

Key Points: 

1. Yevgeny Prigozhin’s unconventional career trajectory, from a petty thief to an oligarch, led him to create the Wagner Group, a powerful mercenary organization that once rivaled Russia’s army.
2. The Wagner Group grew beyond military operations to control a media empire and influence the cultural sphere, exemplifying the concept of “Wagnerization.”
3. Despite its power, the Wagner Group’s increasing autonomy and confrontational actions towards Moscow led to its eventual downfall.
4. Comparisons are made between the rise of Wagner in Russia and the potential for similar entities to emerge in the U.S, with private-sector responses to perceived state failures.
5. “Wagnerization” suggests a future where personal and factional power surpasses the formal state structure, with leaders’ decisions determining the fate of these powerful entities.

Source: https://www.palladiummag.com/2023/09/22/the-wagnerization-of-political-order/